>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases 23 rescued in operation at South China Sea Twenty-three crew members of a cargo vessel were brought to safety in a search and rescue operation mounted by the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in South China Sea. Shortly after 4 pm yesterday (Thursday), the centre received a message from its Australian counterpart that the Cambodia-registered log carrier "Yiaw Yang" had sent out distress signal about 429 nautical miles southeast from Hong Kong. The centre immediately mounted a search and rescue operation by alerting ships in the vicinity to locate "Yiaw Yang" and render assistance. At 7.50 pm, the centre established communications with motor tanker "Kwan Siu", which had responded to the appeal and arrived at the scene. "Kwan Siu" reported that the on scene weather was bad, with northeasterly wind of Force seven to eight and very rough sea. The 117-metre-long "Yiaw Yang" was listing 35 degrees to starboard. Of the 23 crew members on board, 13 who had been transferred to a nearby Taiwanese fishing vessel later boarded "Kwan Siu". About six hours later, a Japanese vessel "Tsushima" also attended scene to standby. At 7 am today (Friday), "Kwan Siu" reported that "Yiaw Yang" had listed 15 degree to starboard due to jettision of some cargo on deck. Two hours later, as the 5577 gross registered tonne vessel continued to take in water, the captain decided to abandon the ship. Of the ten remaining crew members, nine were then rescued by "Tsushima" while one had boarded "Kwan Siu". Of the rescued crew, 22 are Filipinos and one is a Burmese. A naval vessel of the Philippines is now heading to the scene to take them to Manila by tomorrow. Friday, 28 January 2000
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