Five fishermen were rescued after running aground on a rock off the coast of Malaysia during stormy weather.

The seamen were found clinging onto the tiny Batu Berantai island - which was little more than a boulder - some 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Remis beach in Jemar town, Selangor State on August 18 morning.

Helicopters of the Malaysian Maritime Administration (APMM) were conducting routine flight training in the area when they spotted the trapped locals waving desperately for help while rough waves slammed into them.

Upon seeing the fishermen's frantic pleas, the officers lowered the aircraft and pulled them aboard.

Subang Maritime Air Station chief Captain Syed Islam Shahajam said: 'The sea conditions at that time were rough and could have risked the lives of the fishermen if they were swept away because they were not wearing life jackets.

'However, all the victims were saved when rescue swimmers managed to get them onto the helicopter using the 'winching' technique.'

Officials identified the fishermen as Mohd Yazid Basir, 37, Zamri Romli, 39, Mohd Razwan Hussin, 48, Hamidi Rohani, 70, and Tohid Sangon, 65.

Mohd said he, along with two others, set out for the island on August 17 evening. Two more fishermen reportedly joined them the following morning before the weather worsened.

He said: 'When we saw the helicopter, we then immediately waved our hands for help because we we were worried that the situation would become more serious.

'In addition to mobile phones, our life jackets and fishing gear have been washed away by the waves leaving us unable to contact anyone for help.'

Shahajam said the victims were traumatised and enervated from spending between three to 15 hours out at sea, and have been rushed to nearby hospitals to recover.