The European Union Naval Force Somalia rescued the crew of an Iranian vessel after they had been left to die by Somali pirates, officials said Monday.

The rescue was carried out Saturday by the Spanish warship Navarra, the EU force said in a news release. The 13 crew members from the fishing vessel, named UAID 400, had been left without food, water or fuel after a pirate attack days before, it said.

The Navarra was dispatched Friday and its helicopter located the vessel early the next morning, the release said. "The crew were seen on deck waving their arms and making desperate signs for help as the helicopter approached them," it said.

Once the Navarra arrived, a boarding party confirmed the vessel's radio equipment was broken and mobile phones were not working, according to the EU Naval Force.

"The crew were already drinking sea water and there was no food onboard," the news release said. "The crew confirmed that it had been four days since the attack."

The crew reported that pirates had kept them tied up for two days without food or water, and they looted the vessel and took the crew members' possessions, the release said. The warship provided the vessel with food, water and enough fuel to get to shore.