Philippine Coast Guard tows stranded speedboat as Typhoon Krathon approaches the Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) towed a stranded speedboat to safety as Typhoon Krathom churned up strong waves off the Philippines.

The boat - a rescue vessel used by the local government - was trapped at sea as it was battered by poor weather off Buguey town in Cagayan province on September 27.

The crew sent a distress call to nearby fishermen, who then asked the PCG for help.

Dramatic footage shows the passengers climbing aboard the PCG's MV Eagle rescue ferry, seen in the video listing on the billowing waves.

Local media reported that the four crewmen and their boat were safely brought back to shore.

Cagayan disaster office chief Rueli Rapsing said: 'The speedboat encountered huge waves while it was on its way to another town. It was being moved to neighbouring Sta. Ana town when it became stranded.'

The incident occurred while Tropical Depression Krathon was approaching the Philippines.

Philippine weather agency PAGASA said Krathon, locally known as Julian, intensified into a typhoon on September 29.

A Signal No. 4 weather warning was raised in the northernmost islands of Batanes and the Babuyan archipelago, which PAGASA warned would feel 'the peak of devastating typhoon-force winds' on September 30.

Meteorologists said Krathom may become a super typhoon as it moves toward Taiwan.

The Philippines and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.