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Rescuers search for 13 missing fishermen

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-17 20:41

HAIKOU -- Rescuers are searching for 13 fishermen who were abroad a fishing boat that went missing Wednesday off China's southern island province of Hainan.

A research and rescue team was dispatched at about 12 p.m. Friday to the vicinity where the vessel was last contacted, about 100 nautical miles west of the shore, said a spokesman with the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration.

However, it would take the rescue vessel, South China Sea R 196, about 10 hours to get at the location due to strong gales, said the spokesman.

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The Hainan Maritime Salvage Center has issued a notice requesting vessels in the area to aid the search and rescue effort.

The fishing boat, Qiong Danzhou 11166, is a 20-meter wooden vessel equipped with two-way radio, life rafts and a GPS navigator.

The boat departed Baimajing Port in Danzhou at noon Sunday and was last in contact with another fishing boat, Qiong Danzhou 11030, early Tuesday.

Captain of Qiong Danzhou 11030 learned the fishing boat was 100 nautical miles from the shore but could not identify its exact location.

Strong gales have continued in the South China Sea after a strong cold front hit the area.

Separately, a Vietnamese-registered cargo vessel capsized and sank in strong gales Thursday about 110 nautical miles west of Sanya city in Hainan.

Two Vietnamese sailors were rescued Friday but 25 others are still missing.