This is the heroic moment helicopter crews braved gale-force winds to rescue a fisherman from the mast of a sinking vessel.

The dramatic rescue unfolded when a fishing boat faced imminent sinking due to severe weather conditions near Wafangdian City, Liaoning, China, on October 15.

Prompted by a distress call from the Liaoning Maritime Search and Rescue Centre, the Ministry of Transport's North China Sea Rescue Bureau dispatched the 'B-7312' rescue helicopter stationed in Dalian.

Upon arrival, the helicopter crew encountered challenging conditions with strong northerly winds reaching gale force, causing massive waves.

A fisherman was found clinging desperately to a swaying mast, reportedly suffering from hypothermia, while most of the vessel had already submerged.

Operating without conventional winch points, the crew manoeuvred the helicopter to hover directly above the distressed fishing boat.

Using specialised equipment, a rescuer was lowered near the mast where the fisherman was clinging.

Amidst the swaying and treacherous conditions, the rescuer secured the fisherman and equipped him for extraction.

Despite the high-risk aerial operations, the helicopter safely transported him to a nearby dock.