Operator reestablishes contact with missing boat, crew safe

Taipei, Sept. 6 (CNA) The operator of a Taiwanese fishing vessel reported missing in waters east of Guam said Saturday that contact has been reestablished with the boat's captain and that all crew members are safe.

The Donggang-registered Sheng Long Yu No. 61 was operating in international waters Thursday when its tracking device suddenly went offline, the Fisheries Agency (FA) said. The operator confirmed the vessel was missing on Friday.

The ship departed Yanpu fishing port in Pingtung County on July 11 with 11 people onboard, including a Taiwanese captain and 10 Indonesian crew members, according to the FA.

The operator said it received a call around 2 p.m. Saturday from the captain, surnamed Tien (田), who explained that a lightning strike had damaged the communications equipment.

With the engine still functioning, the crew initially planned to navigate back to Taiwan but later encountered a Japanese fishing vessel and borrowed its satellite phone to report their safety.

The operator added that the ship's cold storage system had failed, leaving more than 30,000 metric tons of catch inside. Efforts are underway to assist the crew and ensure the vessel's safe return.