British coastguards scrambled Thursday in an attempt to rescue 13 Spanish fishermen stranded on their trawler, which was in danger of sinking off Land's End, the southwest tip of England.
The British-registered Zorro Zaurre was taking on water and could've sink within the next few hours, coastguards said.
A Royal Air Force helicopter from a nearby base, and Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft from Scotland were both taking part in the operation to rescue the crew of the 36 meter (120 foot) vessel, 320 miles (500 kilometers) off Land's End.
The crew of the Zorro Zaurre sent a distress signal at 2:30 am (0230 GMT), and said they were preparing to abandon the trawler and take to their lifeboat, a coastguard spokesman said.
Another trawler, the San Amaro, was also making its way towards the scene -- LAND'S END, Britain (AFP)
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