HMS York has been involved in a dramatic rescue in high winds in the South Atlantic.

The Type 42 destroyer battled heavy seas as she sailed 300 miles to answer an SOS call from a South Pacific fisherman with a suspected ruptured appendix.

She had to cope with head winds gusting up to 40 knots an hour in the drama, which unfolded south-east of the Falklands Islands, where she is currently based.

A Mayday from a trawler from the Republic of Kiribati in the Gilbert Islands, South Pacific, sparked the rescue. An RAF Sea King helicopter from 1564 Search and Rescue Flight launched from the Falklands to airlift the injured fisherman to safety.

At 8am local time on Monday, HMS York, with Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Wave Ruler, left East Cove military port in the Falklands Islands and headed south east to act as floating services stations for the helicopter.

HMS York’s Marine Engineering Officer, Lt Cdr George Adams, said: “The aircraft successfully winched the ill crew member to safety and, with a boost from the continuing strong tail winds, flew him direct to Port Stanley hospital. “His current condition is unknown.”

The helicopter had to refuel en route from the tanker and, after it had done so, it continued south into high winds, as did the two ships. After the rescue, both British ships returned to their stations.

HMS York has been based at the Falklands Islands since the start of the year, and has been carrying out routine patrols as well as taking part in international exercises and other activities. She hit the headlines earlier this year around the world when she had a friendly encounter with an Argentinian ship as tensions rose between the UK and Argentina over oil exploration operations by the British in the area.