A sailor was killed yesterday after a massive wave hit the Annie PG, a tanker sailing 20 miles south of Plymouth.
The search and rescue mission was launched at 11.40am when three crewmen, one British and two foreign, were washed across the deck and into railings on the 140-metre ship.
The most seriously injured sailor was stretchered from the ship first by a Royal Navy rescue helicopter and flown to Derriford Hospital where he was later confirmed dead.
The incident is being investigated by the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch.