A SOUTHAMPTON ship has been involved in the rescue of five people from a broken down French fishing vessel.

RRS James Cook, based at National Oceanography Centre, responded to a distress signal launched off the coast of Cornwall.

The French trawler had suffered an electrical failure and was taking on water.

It was stranded 160 nautical miles south-west of the Isles of Scilly.

French coastguards alerted their British counterparts at 7.40pm on Tuesday.

The crew were evacuated to a life-raft at first light this morning before being picked up by another trawler that had responded to the call.

The RRS James Cook remained at the scene throughout.

Coastguards say it provided "a vital communications link to HM Coastguard".

The damaged ship is being towed to a port in France.

Jack Paterson, Senior Maritime Operations Office for HM Coastguard, said: “We would like to thank all the vessels who responded to the distress call to help the fishing crew.

“This rescue is a perfect example of how we work with the maritime community, at home and abroad, to keep people safe.”

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