TAIPEI: A Taiwanese fishing boat that was previously reported missing near Midway Island in the North Pacific Ocean has been located, with all 12 crew members in good shape, fishery industry sources said yesterday.

The 80-ton boat, the Shunfuyu 86, sent out a mayday signal late Monday but could not be contacted because its satellite phone was out of commission.

However, the ship's monitoring system kept sending out signals that showed a precise location near Midway Island Monday night, according to the "National Search and Rescue Command Center".

A US Air Force plane launched a search early yesterday and eventually located the ship near Midway Island following collaboration with commercial vessels in the area, said Lin Yueh-ying, secretary-general of the Suao Fishery Association in northeastern Taiwan's Yilan County.

"The ship has lost power and is adrift... but fortunately, all crew members aboard are safe and well," Lin said.

Six of the boat's crew are Indonesian, three mainlanders, one Filipino and two Taiwanese, according to the Suao Fishery Radio station in Yilan County where the boat is registered.

Meanwhile, she went on, a Taiwanese fishing boat from Pingtung County's Siaoliuchiu township was going to the assistance of the stricken vessel.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/27/2010 page2)