WATCH: Dutch Coast Guard rescues rudderless cargo ship

Battling 4m high waves, three people were slightly injured during the rescue of the 82m Valday cargo ship, which also lost her anchors as well as engine power.

With a crew of seven, there was no cargo on the vessel, which was found 22 kilometres off the coast of Rotterdam, the coast guard said.

Salvage company Multraship was called to the scene but failed initially to make a towing connection with the ship. During the operations three members of crew were slightly injured but are now said to be out of hospital.

Eventually, emergency tug Multraship Commander made a towing connection with the Valday, and with lifeboat Antoinette from the Royal Dutch Rescue Society KNRM station Stellendam, towing commenced to Rotterdam.

Lifeboat Koos van Messel of the KNRM stayed nearby as a safety vessel.

The tug Fairplay-33 was also brought in to assist.

“The conditions for the emergency workers were intense,” said director of the Coast Guard Nicole Kuipers. “Unfortunately, three people were slightly injured in the rescue operation. I wish them a lot of strength with their recovery. It shows that working in the North Sea under these weather conditions is dangerous. I want to thank everyone who worked to prevent a bigger disaster.”

The general cargo ship Valday was built in 1996 and sails under the flag of Antigua & Barbuda.