When a joiner from Mexborough heard that Harrison Construction was recruiting for skilled tradespeople to work on a waterfront development in York he knew the interview would be plain sailing.

He simply boarded his 1908-converted Whitby lifeboat, sailed up the River Ouse and moored on the doorstep of the site.

Stuart Prigmore, who has now joined the S Harrison Construction team at the Merchant Exchange riverside development, sailed the historic cruiser from the River Don via Selby lock. A joiner by trade, Stuart has a lifelong passion for boating and has used his joinery skills to update parts of the former lifeboat.

The craft started its career in Whitby where it is documented to have saved 11 lives. Previous owners also include the Sea Cadets and the Royal Navy.

Stuart said: "It beats getting stuck in rush-hour traffic and means that I only have to walk over Ouse Bridge to get home. I jumped at the chance when I heard that Harrison was recruiting for workers to start at the riverside development." David Trinder, Harrison site manager, said: "It's great from our point of view, knowing that Stuart will be at work on time - no excuses! It's an unusual route to work, but definitely one that our construction team envies."

Home to York's first £1 million apartment, Merchant Exchange is a £6.5 million development by S Harrison Group, in conjunction with The Helmsley Group. It comprises 23 luxury apartments above a quality riverside restaurant.

Updated: 11:19 Tuesday, July 15, 2003