The pair got into trouble, and called a friend in the UK. He dialled 999, and was connected to Falmouth coastguards.

Falmouth coastguards then initiated the rescue, which was carried out by a US Navy warship and helicopter.

The rescued skipper was catamaran designer Richard Woods from Millbrook in east Cornwall, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

The female crew member was named as Jetti Mantzke, a US citizen.

US Warship

"The weather was as bad as you can get," said watch manager Andy Catterill, from Falmouth, who co-ordinated the operation on Wednesday night.

The catamaran, which was 90 miles from Huatulco, was too far from the Mexican coast to issue a Mayday over the VHF radio.

Mr Woods used his satellite phone to call a friend in Plymouth for help as his 33-foot catamaran Eclipse was battered by a storm-force winds of more than 55mph (52 knots).

Falmouth Coastguards immediately contacted the Mexican rescue authorities who launched two patrol boats and a helicopter, but were unable to reach the area because of weather conditions.

A US Navy warship which was in the area, was then called to the scene. The sailors were instructed to get into the water, and climb into a cage lowered by a Navy helicopter, before being winched to safety.

The two rescued sailors will be on board the warship for about two days before they can go ashore.