Authorities were today (Tue) battling to save 60 fishermen who claim to be stranded on a trawler off the coast of Somalia.

The workers - 50 Thais and 10 from other nationalities - are onboard two Iranian vessels which have been floating in the gulf of Aden near to Bosaaso province since last Wednesday (01/08).

They claim to be running out of food, water, fuel and said they have not been paid for more than five months.

Thai authorities are now trying to bring the men to safety.

Labour Minister Chatu Mongkol Sonakul said Thai ambassador to Kenya Cherdkiat Atthakor had arranged for additional food and water to be delivered to the men.

He said: ''This is a complicated situation because many of them are not under the rescuing fund which allows 30,000 bahtexpenses per person, but we will bring all of them home as soon as possible."

The fishermen left from Iran last October onboard the Wadani 1 and Wadani 2 boats to start work on two-year contracts lasting until 2020.

They claim not to have been paid for the last five months and now don't have sufficient fuel onboard to return to the port of origin.

One of the fishermen onboard, Wapeetao Kananat, pleaded for help.

He said: "Now we are trying to come up with a plan to go home, but anyone in Thailand who can reach us, please help.

''We are stranded and supplies are very low. We need urgent help.''

Aom August, a friend of one of the men onboard, said he fears they could die.

He added: "My friend was laid of and abandoned in off the Bosaaso coast in Somalia with other Thai fishermen. They have been left with limited provision.

"I need advice on how to bring them home, they will die soon without us helping."

The Thai authorities this week began investigating and found that only 17 out of 50 men are registered to legally receive aid from a government fund for Thais who work outside the country.

According to Labour ministerial regulations, fund members will be eligible to financial support, not exceeding 30,000 baht, to cover travel, accommodation, food, health care and other necessary expenditure.