This is the moment divers were rescued after being stranded for 30 hours in shark-infested waters.

The Chinese tourists had been on a trip to the Palau Shark Sanctuary, located on a tiny island community 1,000 miles out in the Philippines Sea.

Local media reported they were left stranded in the water after their dive boat skipper forgot to collect them.

The sea is home to some of the most feared ocean predators, including whitetip reef sharks, notorious for attacking divers and stealing catches from spear fishermen.

Grey reef sharks are also fearless predators, and divers are advised to keep their distance.

Smaller leopard sharks, which hunt in packs, are also found in the sanctuary's waters.

Rescue footage shows a coastguard boat finding six of the divers clinging to an emergency float.

As the rescue boat approaches, the divers cheer and wave at the crew, who pull them aboard before heading back to dry land.

Local media reports say that seven tourists and two Chinese national dive guides were rescued during the operation on December 27.

Rescue teams were dispatched after fellow holidaymakers in Cape Peleliu raised the alarm with the Chinese Embassy.

Palau police stated they launched all available ships and aircraft to assist with the search and rescue operation.

An embassy spokesman said: 'All nine citizens were rescued, their vital signs and mental state are good.

'They have been sent to a local hospital for a comprehensive examination.'