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Taiwanese boat sinks after crash with Japan Coast Guard vessel

Wednesday, 11 June 2008

ISHIGAKI, Okinawa -- A Taiwanese fishing boat sank off the disputed Senkaku Islands early Tuesday after it collided with a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol vessel, coast guard officials said.

All 16 men aboard the Taiwanese leisure fishing boat were rescued by the JCG vessel "Koshiki" before the fishing boat sank off Uotsuri Island. The island is among the Senkaku Islands claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan.

JCG officials believe the 16 have no connection with Taiwanese activists who have made claims to the disputed Senkaku Islands. The JCG is set to question them after the Koshiki enters Ishigaki Port in Okinawa Prefecture.

The Taiwanese fishing boat and the Koshiki collided with each other in the Japanese sea about 10 kilometers south of Uotsuri Island in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, at around 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the JCG.

The 966.22-ton Koshiki, which belongs to the 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Kagoshima, rescued three crewmembers and 13 passengers aboard the fishing boat after they fled in life rafts. The captain of the fishing boat sustained light injuries to his right knee.

The fishing boat sank about seven kilometers south-southeast off Uotsuri Island about one hour and 15 minutes later.

Coast guard officials said the Koshiki spotted the Taiwanese fishing boat in Japanese waters and drew near to the boat. The fishing boat then started to zigzag across the sea, and the Koshiki chased after the boat.

When the fishing boat suddenly made a right turn, the two vessels collided with each other, coast guard officials said.

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