Fishing crew rescued as boat burns off WA

TWO dozen crew of a Japanese fishing boat have been saved after the vessel caught alight off the Perth coast.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority was alerted on Tuesday morning that crew on board the Myojin Maru No. 8 were abandoning the vessel into life boats.

AMSA deployed a rescue jet but was advised by the Japan Coast Guard that all crew had been rescued by another Japanese fishing vessel, FV Seifuku Maru 88, and were safe and uninjured.

AMSA said it would liaise with the Japan Coast Guard and the vessel owners to confirm details of the vessel fire and determine any pollution and environmental impacts.