Dozens of tourists were rescued from a ferry stuck in fishing nets for six hours off the coast of a Thai island.

The passengers were onboard the vessel that departed from the pier in Trat province at around 7 am on July 17.

They were headed to Koh Chang island but they were an hour into the journey when the ferry suddenly stalled at 8 am.

The boat captain said a discarded fishing net was caught in the propellers and had caused engine failure. They were unable to remove the net because of increasingly strong waves.

The crew called a fishing boat to tow the vessel back to shore, but the rope snapped due to strong winds and the rough tide.

With the passengers growing worried as the ferry was blown out to sea, staff later called the Royal Thai Navy for assistance.

Two rescue boats arrived at the scene to take the tourists back to shore. Medics were also dispatched to assist the elderly and those with medical conditions onboard.

A passenger worried about his belongings opted to stay on the vessel along with the captain and one crew member until the ferry was safely returned.

The Royal Thai Navy said there were no injuries reported, apart from some tourists who experienced seasickness.