at Bermuda today following a dramatic rescue mission in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Andra lost all power several days ago and was being towed at five knots toward St. George's, with another vessel alongside providing essential power to stop the cargo going off.

It was due at the Pilot's Station at 8 a.m. today, with another ship, the Frio Vladivostok using its engines to save the chicken pieces -- understood to weigh 17,000 tonnes.

The rescue ship, owned by the same company, completed an extremely difficult and dangerous operation in order to assist the stricken vessel -- enroute from Gulf Port, US to Latvia.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said bringing two vessels together in the open ocean was very unusual and hazardous because of the risk with the ships falling and rising at different times in rough seas.

"It is a very dangerous operation,'' he said.

A ten-foot swell made it tricky but the rescue ship was fitted with fenders, cushioning the two ships. Mooring lines secured the two as a tug, the Powhatan brought the ensemble to Bermuda.

Donald MacPherson, of agents John S. Darrell, said: "It is unusual. The ship is refrigerated. When she lost power, unless there was some way of getting power back, she stood to lose the cargo.

"There was another ship in the area, which was lucky.'' A Bermuda tug was standing by to assist the vessel but was stood down after the Powhatan was located nearby.

Early today, two Marine and Ports tugs were standing by to assist the 172-metre Andra into Dockyard for an assessment of the repairs.

The 90-metre Frio Vladivostok will follow into port to provide power for the refrigerated units on board. It is not known what state the cargo is in.

The loss of power occurred when the ship was 200 miles to the northeast of Bermuda, and left the vessel dead in the water -- with no power to move or maintain its systems.

Its tow, the Powhatan , an ex-US Navy vessel, was crossing the Atlantic at the time and was diverted to the scene.

A Pilot vessel will meet the vessels, which will part ways before being moved into Dockyard.