Cape Town – An international rescue effort was launched on Christmas night when a diving boat carrying 24 passengers – 12 of them South Africans – was left stranded in the Red Sea after both engines broke down and radio communications were cut off.

Emergency authorities from South Africa and Egypt co-ordinated efforts to rescue the passengers on the Royal Diving 3, Independent Online reported.

“Luckily, someone on board had a cellphone with roaming capabilities and was able to contact Netcare International for help. They contacted the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Table Bay branch,” said NSRI Table Bay station commander Pat van Eyssen.

He called the vessel via cellphone and was able to locate its position. The NSRI notified the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, an international rescue co-operative, which dispatched a ship from Egypt to find the boat and bring it in. It took six hours before the vessel reached the Sharm el-Sheikh harbour at 4am on Saturday.

“It must have been quite a distance. We’re just glad everyone returned to the shore unharmed,” Van Eyssen said.

The South African passengers decided to stay on in Egypt and will return in the new year.