Ashabi

The U.S. Coast Guard Station Guam has launched a high seas rescue in co-ordination with the U.S. Navy searching for a Taiwanese vessel "Yow Hsu Man" believed to be in distress about 80-nautical miles north west of the island on Jan 21, 2013. The National Weather Service on Guam has issued a Gale Warning for the waters around the Mariana Islands. Gusts of over 20 knots and seas in excess of 18 feet have been reported. The 54-foot fishing vessel was making its way to Guam in order to seek medical treatment for the master of the vessel who was experiencing medical complications. The USCG Sector Guam Joint Rescue Coordination Center had been monitoring the ship for the last two days, but they lost contact with the vessel in the night. The last communications with the vessel were late on Jan 20 evening. The condition of the master and the vessel are unknown at this time. All attempts to regain communications with the vessel have been unsuccessful so far. The Coast Guard Cutter "Washington" and the tanker "Ardmore Centurion" which diverted from its voyage from Crockett to Malliao were enroute to the position 80 miles NW of Guam. The Navy also has launched one of its Sea Combat Squadron 25 choppers. They were currently experiencing 18-foot seas and winds in excess of 20-knots. The Coast Guard has enlisted the help of Mandarin and Indonesian speakers to assist in the radio call-outs to the vessel.