The crew of the Star Princess cruise ship paused its Alaska sailing Monday to try to help Canadian air force rescuers pluck two British Columbia men from their drifting sailboat off the Queen Charlotte Islands. The idea was for the giant ship to break the wind and calm the waves. But ultimately, it made matters worse, the rescue diver told the Vancouver Province.

The [sailboat] was moving wildly in the storm-tossed ocean, rolling and pitching from side to side. Its torn rigging and swaying masts made a direct approach - by lowering the helicopter's winch - too dangerous, [Sgt. Robin Richardson] said. ...

A passing cruise ship, the Star Princess, moved nearby to assist by blocking 80 km/h winds and calming the waves. But Richardson said it added to the hazards because the turbulence moved the large ship in unexpected directions."It drifted much too fast towards us," he said.

The men ultimately were rescued, but the sailboat is still adrift. Read more in the Vancouver Province: Two sailors plucked from boat in dramatic high seas rescue off B.C. coast