Coast Guard searching for missing fishing boat with 9 aboard

Coast Guard watch standers received a radio beacon alert from the vessel early in the morning on Friday, August 18, and launched search crews shortly after. The vessel was reported to be in distress 75 nautical miles southeast of Bong Bay Island.

Phan Xuan Hai from the Binh Dinh Province Steering Committee said he had contacted other fishing vessels operating nearby to assist in the search and assembled a search party to patrol the shoreline for any signs of the crew or vessel.

We are saturating the area with Coast Guard and good Samaritan assets and hoping for the best, Mr Hai said. He noted that current weather and sea conditions are typical for the area.