The army medical force on the island are checking the fishermen’s health conditions. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

The boat suffered an engine breakdown, broke its rudder, and drifted onto a rock shelf, about 1.5 nautical miles from Da Lon B island. Cracked planks on both sides of the boat were allowing water to leak into the vessel.

After receiving its distress signal, soldiers on Da Lon island towed the fishing boat to safety and provided its crew medical attention.

The tuna boat, owned by Nguyen Duc Toan of Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province, set sail on December 9th with 5 crewmen aboard.