Quite by chance the 7,582hp Braveheart , owned by Barry Towage & Offshore SA of Madeira, was only 12 miles from the Englishman and was en-route from Las Palmas to Turkey towing the trawler Sozidanie forscrap.

Braveheart was contracted to assist the tug and tow and her master Capt Jean Barbier, Braveheart 's Tugmaster was able to make a towing connection with the Englishman from the second drum of his winch. Although hampered by his own tow, which remained connected, and appalling weather Braveheart (103 tonnes bollard pull) was able to tow all three vessels away from the Algerian coast. Due to the weather conditions and the risk of entangling the separate tows the connection with Englishman was twice released and reconnected. The vessels continued en-route to Malta, at times making good speed and eventually Englishman made sufficient repairs to proceed on her own and the convoy reached Malta Roads on 4 January.

Both tugs delivered their tows successfully.

On safely returning home Capt Wojciech of the Englishman sent a message to Capt Barbier.

"My wife and children send you a great THANK YOU for the big thing you did for me.

They are now sure that there are still people in this world who do not think twice when somebody is in need. They say 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' thank you again.'