This is the scary moment a cargo ship rocked while being battered by huge swells at sea.

Footage shows the vessel swaying as large waves crashed against its bow after departing a port in New Orleans on the way to Turkey on May 2.

All crew members remained inside the dry bulk ship while the freighter sailed through the stormy conditions.

The massive swells slammed the deck and shook the boat from side to side before larger waves hit the front.

Seafarer John Nikko Albutra Maano said: ‘We were passing on the North Atlantic Ocean and experiencing bad weather at that time.

‘I was almost at the end of my contract when it happened. It made me think twice whether to renew because the storm was terrifying.'

The geared ship, with cranes mounted on the deck, was carrying dry bulk cargo in its giant holds.