The fishing trawler, the Super One, was in difficulty 11 miles northeast of Marsalforn. An AFM patrol boat was immediately dispatched to the area, reaching the trawler at about 12.40am yesterday morning.

Super One was escorted towards Marsalforn but some three miles off-shore, the trawler’s engine broke down.

This led to the 20-metre trawler being abandoned, with the three men on board being lifted on to the patrol boat.

The poor weather conditions prevented the patrol boat entering Marsalforn and instead it proceeded to the Maritime Squadron’s base at Haywharf.

The fishermen were treated for minor injuries.