This is the dramatic moment sailors rescued a distressed fisherman who survived being stranded at sea by eating styrofoam to survive.

The Filipino crew of the Hong Kong-flagged MV Deryoung Space were headed to the Port of Subic Bay in Zambales province when they spotted the man floating off Agno town, Pangasinan province, at around 2:20 pm on November 18.

Footage shows the crew throwing lifebuoys into the ocean which they used to pull the fisherman up onto the vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the man was one of two fishermen who had gone missing off Agno town when their boat sank amid bad weather on November 17. Authorities were still searching for the other trawler.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said: 'According to the ship's chief mate, it was a fateful rescue. Their vessel had to change her course to avoid a storm.

'The crew were outside because it was a Saturday and they only had a half day's work so they saw the fisherman. Luck was on the side of the fisherman. He said he was eating styrofoam to survive.'

The MV Deryoung Space has reached the Subic Port, and the fisherman has been reunited with the family, the PCG said.

In a statement, Coast Guard Admiral Gavan added: 'I recognize the exemplary professionalism and commend the humanitarian act of the master, officers and crew of MV Deryoung Space. In the Philippine waters, our seafarers are indeed our everyday heroes.'

Search and rescue operations were ongoing to find the remaining missing fisherman.