A large wave washed over the front of the Anne Harvey, shown in an undated photo, on Friday. (Canadian Coast Guard)

Two crewmembers were taken to hospital Friday morning after a large wave washed over the front of a coast guard ship as it was leaving port in St. John's.

The Ann Harvey had just passed through a narrow part of the harbour and into open water when the rogue wave struck the deck.

Four people who were at the front of the ship securing an anchor were tossed around by the unexpected rush of ocean water.

Two of the crewmembers weren't hurt, but the other two had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

One suffered a broken leg, while the other has been released.

The Ann Harvey was responding to a call for help from a longliner when the incident happened. After the injured crewmembers were removed from the boat, the ship returned to sea.

Environment Canada warned that high winds and heavy rain would cause rough seas and large swells along much of the Newfoundland coastline Friday.