27 stranded near Xisha Islands

China.org.cn, January 9, 2013

High waves causes by strong winds have stranded 24 tourists and three crew members at Xisha Islands, Hainan province, local maritime authorities said on Wednesday.

Xisha Islands [File photo]

The Sanya city maritime salvage and rescue center received a call from a stranded man at 7 p.m. Jan. 8, saying that 27 people were stranded at the fishing boat "Qionglingao 113098", which got stuck at 16.33 degrees north latitude and 111.40 degrees east longitude near Yongle islands, according to Xinhua News Agency.

A law enforcement vessel of the maritime police of Sansha city reached the stranded boat at around 5 p.m. Tuesday, and provided fresh water and fuel. But bad maritime conditions dampened maritime police's attempt to help them out.

They are not facing life-threatening risks, the report said.

The fishing boat departed Sanya, Hainan Province, in the early morning of Jan. 2 and arrived at Yongle islands the next day. But gales and high waves forced the boat to drop anchor nearby to wait for rescue when it started journey back on Jan. 5.

China Yuzheng-306 ship has departed from the Qingland port, Wenchang city, for the rescue of the stranded people. A rescue ship sent by the Nanhai Rescue Bureau will also join the rescue efforts.

The Sansha city government is organizing further rescue operations.