Authorities help boat in distress

19 Oct 2011, 11:24 am   -   Source: AAP
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File, AAP.

File, AAP.

Border Protection Command has provided help to a suspected asylum-seeker vessel north-east of Scott Reef overnight.

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Another asylum-seeker boat has been intercepted off north-west Western Australia.

Border Protection Command has provided help to the vessel after it sought assistance north-east of Scott Reef overnight.

The vessel was initially detected by a Customs and Border Protection Command Dash-8 operating under Border Protection Command and it was aided by the Australian Customs Vessels Triton and Hervey Bay.

"Initial indications suggest there are 51 passengers and four crew on board," Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement on Wednesday.

Arrangements are being made for the passengers to be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial checks.

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