The Mission to Seafarers in Falmouth provided warm clothing, telephone cards and support for the 26 seafarers forced to abandon their sinking cargo ship in yesterday's storms.

Two Royal Navy helicopters winched the crew of the MSC Napoli to safety in winds of more than 50mph as waves up to 50ft high crashed around their lifeboat 50 miles south of Lizard Point in Cornwall.

The crew of Romanian, British, Indian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Turkish and Filipino nationals lost all their possessions, papers, money and personal effects.

They wore boiler suits provided by RNAS Culdrose, where they were brought ashore and then taken to spend the night at the Falmouth Hotel.

Penny Phillips, chairman of the Mission in Falmouth, and Mission volunteers Jon Robertshaw, Stuart Paul, and Graham Hall, took bags of clothing and emergency supplies of toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, combs, shaving foam, cigarettes and chocolate - "a good comfort food", said Penny. A pair of shoes was needed for one young British cadet.

"The crew's main concern was to phone home, and phone cards were provided free of charge," said Penny. "By the time the Mission team left, nearly all crew members had reached a loved one."

She said the crew, who praised RNAS Culdrose for the rescue, were shaken but in good spirits and "very, very grateful for the Mission's visit", during which one crewman complained of a headache. After volunteer Graham Hall, who has first aid experience, spoke with the Captain and a doctor, he was taken to Treliske Hospital for treatment.

"This is what the Mission to Seafarers is all about, being there in times of need. As soon as the crew saw our Flying Angel badges the smiles appeared. That is such a wonderful feeling," she said.

On Friday the crew were being taken to London Heathrow to await flights home.