Prince William has taken part in a naval mission to rescue the Russian crew of the cargo ship 'Swanland' which sank in stormy seas off North Wales. Two Russians have been pulled to safety, one is known to have died and another five are still missing.
The British Royal Navy has released video footage of the rescue operation.Prime William, Duke of Cambridge, was co-pilot of the Sea King helicopter that airlifted the two seamen to the safety of a military base at RAF Valley on the Welsh island of Anglesey, according to Britain’s Ministry of Defense.Russia’s ambassador to the UK has expressed his deepest gratitude to Price William for his brave actions in difficult weather conditions which saved the lives of two Russian citizens.Five sailors are still missing and one body has been recovered from the water.The Swanland , which was carrying 3,000 tonnes of limestone, sailed into a Force Eight gale. and issued a distress call during the night of Saturday November 27.A search and rescue operation went on through the whole of Sunday. The Russian embassy in the UK has named the rescued sailors as Roman Savin and Vitaly Kornenko. The deceased sailor was Leonid Sapunov.One of the sailors pulled to safety said a giant wave rolled onto the ship and broke it in two.Rescuers believe the five missing crew members could be still alive.