Miraculous rescue of two women lost at sea for FIVE MONTHS reveals how they were attacked by sharks, lost their water purifier and sent out distress calls for 98 DAYS before help arrived (9 Pics)

This is the moment two sailors and their dogs were rescued after being stranded at sea for FIVE months.

Civilian sailors Jennifer Appel, 48, and Tasha Fuiaba, were saved by the US Navy after surviving for months using a water purifier and a year-long supply of food.

But they also partly put their survival down to their trusted companions who kept their spirits up.

Footage shows the moment the navy found them and Jennifer blew kisses at the crew and waved her arms in the air.

Jennifer and Tasha's dogs began excitedly barking at the ship and running around deck wagging their tails.

Jennifer said the two of them feared they may die as they waited to be saved after a group of sharks attacked their boat one night, and a single shark returned a day later.

She told The Guardian: “We actually thought it was lights out, and they were horrific. We were just incredibly lucky that our hull was strong enough to withstand the onslaught.”

The pair, who are both from Honoulu, had set sail from their native Hawaii in spring.

But the boat's engine failed back in May and they were eventually picked up this week in the western Pacific, 900 miles southeast of Japan.

Two months into their journey they began to issue distress calls, according to the US Navy who saved them.

The two continued the calls daily, but they were not close enough to other vessels or shore stations to receive them.

Jennifer said: "I'm grateful for their service to our country. They saved our lives. The pride and smiles we had when we saw the U.S. Navy on the horizon was pure relief."

They all survived by using water purifiers and more than a year's worth of food on board, primarily in the form of dry goods such as oatmeal, pasta and rice.

Once on Ashland, the mariners were provided with medical assessments, food and berthing arrangements.

They will remain on board until Ashland's next port of call.

Cmdr. Steven Wasson, Ashland commanding officer said: "The U.S. Navy is postured to assist any distressed mariner of any nationality during any type of situation."