Asylum seeker boat arrives

The navy has intercepted another boat carrying asylum seekers.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said patrol boat HMAS Wollongong, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, on Friday night intercepted a suspected "irregular entry vessel" north of Christmas Island.

There were 17 passengers and four crew on board, he said.

"The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established," he said in a statement.