Russian sailors rescued with British help after three days trapped in a mini-submarine deep in the Pacific revealed today how they struggled with rapidly decreasing water and oxygen supplies while waiting anxiously in the darkness and cold.

Rescue crews managed to loop cables under the structure trapping a mini-submarine deep in the Pacific Ocean today and will try to lift the vessel closer to the surface, Russian navy spokesman Captain Igor Dygalo said.

An international effort is underway to rescue seven people trapped aboard a Russian mini-submarine off the Pacific coast.