Nine Vietnamese fishermen were rescued Sunday night off the coast of Vung Tau City after their boat’s engine broke down, leaving them adrift for several hours.
After receiving the emergency broadcast, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre dispatched rescue ship SAR 272 to make contact with the fishing boat.
However, because of strong winds and rough seas caused by a typhoon near the East Sea, it was very difficult for the rescuers to transfer the fishermen to the rescue vessel. The rescue team had to use a rope to tow the distressed fishing ship to the shore.
It took them an hour to tow the boat ashore from its location 46 nautical miles south of the Vung Tau coast.
Reports say the fishermen are unharmed.
2012 Viet Nam News