A Peel fisherman has been awarded a Merchant Navy medal by Princess Anne on the latter’s recent trip to the island.

Frankie Horne, from Peel, has been involved in the fishing industry for more than 40 years and was presented with the Merchant Navy medal for meritorious conduct.

He ran his own fishing vessel until 2008 when he joined the RNLI fishing safety team, and was appointed as a manager by the charity in 2012.

Mr Horne has also been successful in promoting safety in the fishing industry throughout the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland which has led to a reduction of fishing fatalities and accidents.

He is on the committee of the Fishermen’s Mission Isle of Man which provides help to local fishermen and their families during times of hardship.

He also served as chairman of the Manx Fish Producers Organisation Ltd providing the Manx Fishing sector the support it needs to thrive.

Between 1991 and 2019 Mr Horne served as a volunteer crew member and as coxswain of the Peel Lifeboat and received the thanks on vellum award in 1994 from the RNLI.

Mr Horne is also an accredited safety instructor for the UK organisation SeaFish and delivers safety training to fishermen throughout the British Isles.

Mr Horne helped start the RNLI Swim-Safe campaign which gives countless numbers of Manx children the ability and confidence to swim safely in the sea.

After being presented with the award at Government House, Frankie Horne said: ’It is a great honour and privilege to be the recipient of the Merchant Navy medal and to have met Princess Anne who presented it to me.

’I can only thank those who nominated me.

’However, as with all awards there is always a team of others who deserve equal recognition such as the volunteers and work colleagues who make the work we do happen.

’I can’t praise them enough for their tireless efforts to make commercial fishing safe.

’The RNLI works closely with our partners and volunteers and I would like to thank them for giving me the chance to help improve the safety of commercial fishermen.’

Princess Anne had a busy day of engagements as the special guest on the island’s national day.

Before presenting Mr Horne with his award she attended the Tynwald Hill ceremony.

Afterwards Her Royal Highness visited Peel to see the town’s new lifeboat.