David Faulkner said it was a "frightening episode"

The group, en route from the Republic of Ireland to France, was rescued off the north Cornwall coast on Wednesday.

The boat's skipper, David Faulkner from Surbiton, London, said the crew were "absolutely shattered" when a passing boat ignored distress flares.

The crew, which ran out of water on Monday, stored urine to drink as an absolute last resort.

We knew we were in for trouble Bjorn Bjorseth

The survivors are British father and son, David and Ian Faulkner; Bjorn Bjorseth an Australian currently on a gap year, the vessels' previous owner, Jurgen Hensel from Germany and French woman Stephanie Preux who owns the 60ft (18m) Inis Mil.

The crew spoke of its ordeal after being treated for exhaustion, seasickness and dehydration at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

Although clearly shaken, they were able to joke about the two bottles of urine that were the only liquid left on the raft when they were plucked from the sea.

Skipper David Faulkner claims a fishing boat which was about 430 yards (400m) away from his boat ignored distress flares and failed to stop.

Mr Faulkner said it had been a "very exhausting and frightening episode" and described their experience being battered by high seas as like "going up in an elevator on a yo-yo".

"Your head ends up in your stomach, and your stomach ends up in your head," he said.

Bjorn Bjorseth with the mobile phoned used to get help

Before having to abandon ship, he recalled the work in trying to keep the Inis Mil afloat after its bilge pump failed and water started to come on board in high seas.

He said: "We bailed and we bailed, but we failed - we couldn't bail fast enough. It's an exhausting business."

Describing waves of 30ft to 40ft (9m to 12m), Mr Faulkner's son, Ian, said he had never been so frightened.

He said: "Every time you looked up, it was terrifying. You just have to put your faith in each other."

He said about being on board the raft: "There is constant concern from the moment you jump in the boat.

"I knew any second I could be picked up, but I knew any second I could not be picked up."

Mr Bjorseth said a radio gale warning gave them a hint of what was to come.

He said: "On the Friday when we got the radio report for a Force 8 for the Saturday and Sunday, we knew we were in for trouble."

The Inis Mil's French owner, Stephanie Preux, says it was a very distressing experience.

She said: "At the moment I haven't realised it.