ATHENS, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A 14-member crew of a cargo ship which ran adrift off in the Aegean Sea between the islands of Lesvos and Skyros on Wednesday was rescued amid bad weather, said the Greek Coast Guard.

The Liberian-flagged "New Leo" faced engine failure, while winds up to 9 on the Beaufort scale were blowing in the area, according to an e-mailed press release issued by the Coast Guard.

All 14 members of the crew were evacuated via a helicopter and transferred to Skyros. Two are hospitalized, according to the announcement.