All 7 Crew of Capsized Japanese Fishing Boat Rescued

Tokyo, MINA – Two Japanese and five Indonesian crew members have been rescued after their 15-meter tuna fishing boat was found capsized about 400 kilometers from the Pacific island of Palau, the Japan Coast Guard said Thursday.

Planes and ships from the U.S., Japan and Palau had been taking part in the search for the Japanese-flagged Gyotoku Maru No. 1, which capsized southwest of Palau.

Kyodo News service said the 19-ton ship sent a mayday signal Monday afternoon and a vessel from Japan’s National Fisheries University located it the next morning.

Kyodo said the crew consists of a Japanese captain and chief engineer and five Indonesian crew members.

A coast guard official spoke with skipper Masahiko Tamashiro by phone who said his boat collided with another vessel, Kyodo reported. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Ageny (MINA)