Dramatic rescue underway as Russian ship lies adrift off Isle of Wight

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The blaze wiped out power on board the 944-ton Russian trawler Marginella about 16 miles south of the Isle of Wight, Hants.

The crew managed to put out the fire early this morning but were stranded mid-Channel without propulsion or power in the busy shipping lane and called for help.

Two French warships, Lynx and Gepard, picked up the alert and were sent out to watch over the 1985-built trawler.

French Coastguard tug Abeille Liberte was due to tow the vessel and its 23 crew members, who are all safe and well, to Cherbourg, in France, this morning.

Mike Greiner, Solent Coastguard watch manager, said: "Fortunately weather conditions in the area are not particularly challenging this morning with a moderate sea, 30 knot winds (force 7) and visibility of three miles."

He added: "This is a good example of cross-border working with our French colleagues at the Coastguard station at Jobourg.

"Although communication with the vessel has been difficult at times, we have been grateful to other nearby vessels that have had Russian speakers on board.

"We also now have the services of a local translator, should the need arise."

Solent Coastguard initially failed to contact the trawler but nearby vessel Commodore Clipper had Russian speakers on board to help with communication problems.

The fire started in the exhaust stack, leaving the vessel with just enough electricity for its navigation lights.

Hampshire Fire Service's Marine Incident Response Group was put on stand-by in case the fire reignited.