Asylum boat with 120 aboard rescued

Just a day after four asylum seekers died when their boat capsized off Christmas Island, another boat carrying 120 people has run into trouble.

A file shot of an asylum-seeker vessel off Christmas Island. (AAP)

An asylum seeker boat has been rescued off Christmas Island after issuing a distress call.

The 120 people aboard will be processed at Christmas Island on Thursday.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a request for assistance from the vessel at around midday (AEST) on Wednesday.

The latest rescue comes after four people died when a boat carrying nearly 150 people capsized in rough waters on Tuesday.

The navy pulled 144 asylum seekers from the water alive.

Last weekend a baby boy, who was on a vessel swamped by high seas, also drowned.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday outlined his three-pronged approach to the policy area covering action at the global, regional and national level.