Asylum seekers rescued in rough seas

5 Jul 2012, 3:16 pm   -   Source: AAP
Early reports indicated authorities would need to transfer around 164 people from their vessel due to concerns over its seaworthiness, but AMSA later put the number at 162. (AAP)

Early reports indicated authorities would need to transfer around 164 people from their vessel due to concerns over its seaworthiness, but AMSA later put the number at 162. (AAP)

Australian authorities say 162 people are en route to Christmas Island following a lengthy rescue operation hampered by rough seas.

RELATED

Australian authorities say 162 people are en route to Christmas Island following a lengthy rescue operation hampered by rough seas.

Customs and Border Protection along with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said HMAS Leeuwin had joined HMAS Wollongong in the rescue of an asylum seeker vessel that issued a distress call south of Indonesia on Wednesday.

By midnight (AEST) on Wednesday, the Leeuwin was making its way to Christmas Island with 99 passengers on board, including three people described as having "medical requirements".

The Wollongong vessel was carrying 63 people.

Early reports indicated authorities would need to transfer around 164 people from their vessel due to concerns over its seaworthiness but AMSA later put the number at 162.

"All passengers from the vessel reported to be in distress south of Indonesia on Wednesday 4 July were successfully transferred," AMSA said in a statement.

The crew of the boat called Australian authorities at about 4.30am on Wednesday, claiming they were taking on water and needed help.

The call sparked a major search and rescue effort, with the Wollongong the first on the scene about 110 kilometres southwest of the Indonesian island of Java and 370km northwest of Christmas Island, inside Indonesia's search and rescue region.

Earlier on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said conditions were so rough - sea state six - Wollongong personnel could not safely board the vessel.

Customs said the safety and wellbeing of the crew from the two Australian naval ships along with the people on the boat remained the "first priority".

The distress call came just two weeks after a boat carrying about 200 people capsized on its way to Christmas Island, leaving an estimated 90 people dead.

Another boat carrying 134 people sank last week, leaving four people dead.

Federal parliament last week failed to pass laws that would have restored the government's power to send asylum seekers to other countries for processing.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube