Vietnamese border guards rescued four people after a civilian boat capsized off the southernmost province of Ca Mau on Monday night.

At 11:00 pm yesterday, after receiving a distress signal from the boat CM-98946 TS, Ca Mau border guards quickly dispatched a search team to save all four people from the sunken ship, Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Su, deputy commander of the provincial border guard unit, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday morning.

Captain Huynh Van Chien, 45, was steering the boat on the way to buy shrimp when the sinking happened, said Nguyen Hoang Khoi, the owner of the craft.

The boat encountered bad weather conditions after approaching Hon Khoai Island, according to initial reports.

Captain Chieu lost control over the boat, as big waves continuously slammed into its side, pushing it toward the reefs below water surface.

As water was leaking through the cracks caused by the reefs, the captain managed to send a distress signal to Hon Khoai border guards.

The rescue ship BP 19.06.01 carrying a five-man search party arrived at the scene shortly after, and the four victims were brought to safety following an hour of searching.

The Hon Khoai border guards are helping the owner to salvage the wrecked ship.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!