Thirteen sailors left stranded in the North Arabian sea in severe weather have been rescued thanks to the expert work of the Falmouth coastguard.

The Pendennis Point station received a mayday email on Wednesday from master on board the Motor Tanker Pavit, reporting that they had suffered engine failure two days before and were taking on water.

After liasing with the owners of the vessel, the crew on board and the Middle East Authorities, Falmouth Coastguard were able to arrange for a Royal Navy Warship – HMS St Albans – and an Indian products tanker (Jag Pushpa) to go to their aid, which arrived at 8am on Thursday.

Using a Royal Navy helicopter, the crew were winched off the Pavit and transferred to the Jag Pushpa, where a doctor from St Albans had been placed to offer medical assistance.

The Jag Pushpa has agreed to take the crew members and repatriate them back to India.

Ian Guy, Watch Manager, Falmouth Coastguard said: “This was a desperate situation for the crewmen on board, who had been without engines for three days in severe weather conditions, and reported that several crew members had fallen seriously ill.

“Falmouth Coastguard has spent two days working with the Middle Eastern authorities to try and send aid to the stranded vessel, and are pleased that working with the Royal Navy, this has been achieved.”