Cruise ship crew survive storm ordeal

Giant waves threatened to swamp the ship

Thirty-four crew members have been plucked to safety from a US cruise ship amid fierce storms in a dramatic Atlantic rescue.

The Seabreeze 1 was foundering in heavy seas hundreds of miles off the Virginia coast when it radioed a distress call on Sunday.

Rescuers braved storm force winds

Two US Coast Guard helicopters used baskets to winch those on board to safety, before flying them to Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach. "They are happy to be alive," said Coast Guard spokesman Brendan McPherson.

There were no passengers on the vessel. Its fate is unclear - it was last seen afloat, but listing heavily to one side.

The ship, owned by Florida-based International Shipping Partners, had been on its way from Boston to Charleston, South Carolina, when it ran into trouble about 200 miles (320 kilometres) north-east of Cape Henry, Virginia.

Something broke free and the ship started flooding

US Coast Guard

The crew reported they were operating with only one engine and taking on water.

"There may have been a problem with the boiler," Mr McPherson said. "Then, somehow, something broke free and the ship started flooding."

Only one man with possible cardiac problems was taken to hospital.

All other crew members, some of whom had been suffering from hypothermia, were checked by Navy personnel and released.