Navy rescues 12 from sinking boat off WAPosted Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:13pm AEDTUpdated Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:15pm AEDT ABC The Royal Australian Navy has rescued 12 people from a sinking boat near Ashmore Reef off the West Australian coast. The stationary boat was spotted by a Coast Watch plane late yesterday about 80 nautical miles south-east of the reef. The Navy's HMAS Ararat was sent to investigate and found the boat was sinking fast because of a hole in the hull and its engine was damaged beyond repair. The 10 people and two crew members on board are being taken to Christmas Island. In a statement, Immigration Minister Chris Evans says those on board have not made their intentions clear, but people-smuggling of refugees is still a problem in the region. It is the third boat to reach Australian waters this year.
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