The Missions to Seafarers and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners swung into action last week after authorities were alerted to 12 Russian and Ukrainian crew on the Russian cargo ship Yeya 1 running desperately short of food.

The ship, anchored presently close inshore in Falmouth Bay, had been detained by the French authorities in St Malo for two months.

Yeya 1 arrived in Falmouth earlier in June and was immediately detained by Maritime Coastguard Agency inspectors. The crew, who have had no wages or contact with their owners for the past two months, were desperate for fresh provisions and cigarettes.

Following the MCA's boarding, The Falmouth Mission to Seafarers was asked to become involved when it was discovered that the only food left on the ship was macaroni and flour.

More than £400 worth of fresh vegetables, meat and fruit were purchased by The Mission. Those provisions were supplemented by dry stores which were in storage following a donation by United European Car Carriers when two of their vessels went for lay up in the River Fal recently.

Penny Phillips, chairman of Falmouth Mission to Seafarers, said: "We are very fortunate to have such a caring shipping community in Falmouth."

Captain Oleg Kizilov, master of the Yeya 1 and his crew said: "English people are very kind. Thank you so much."

The situation on Yeya 1 will be monitored by the Justice and Welfare Department of The Mission to Seafarers in London.