A man who survived for three days on two biscuits and a bottle of water after becoming lost on the North Sea has thanked the men and women who saved him.
Mearns man David Irvine, 35, and his 75-year-old grandfather, Jim Reid from Gourdon, became lost when their compass failed in May.
The RNLI searched fruitlessly for them before they were plucked to safety by a passing tanker 50 miles from shore and well outside the search zone.
On their return, the delighted men said the efforts of the area’s fishing community and the emergency services were “unreal” and thanked all those involved.
Mr Irvine, who works as a branch supervisor at Scotmid, Inverbervie, presented the institute with a £1,000 cheque on behalf of his employers.
He revealed Mr Reid has bought another boat with a bit more room on board than the ill-fated Water Rail called the Sarah Louise.
“We have been back out fishing on it and it’s much like the old boat but with an outboard motor,” he said.
One of his co-workers quipped: “Maybe they can fit a few more biscuits in this one.”
Mr Irvine said the family are “settling in” to life like it was before.
He added: “It’s been five months now and we are just about back to normal, apart from the odd thing like this that brings it all back.”
The men sailed out early on Tuesday May 20 from Gourdon Harbour but were reported missing at midday after their 16ft boat failed to return to shore.
A massive air and sea search and rescue mission was launched to find the men but their faulty compass had taken them 46 miles off course and out to sea. They were saved on the Thursday morning.
On behalf of the Montrose crew, coxswain Scott Murray said: “It’s nice of the store and David to give so generously.
“Without donations we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
A second donation of £500 was made to gardening group Brighter Bervie. The money was raised by selling 2p plastic carrier bags to reduce bag use.