TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As many as 17 people were still reported missing as a research vessel was sinking in heavy seas off Penghu in the Taiwan Straits, reports said Friday evening.

The Ocean Researcher V, described as Taiwan’s largest research vessel, was carrying an estimated 45 crew members when water entered the ship, reports said. The exact circumstances of the disaster were not known, but there was a strong wind and heavy rain in the area at the time.

By the time only one fourth of the ship was still above the waterline, 28 people had been rescued while 17 had jumped into the sea and were swimming around waiting for help, reports said.

The Navy and the Coast Guard sent a total of six frigates to help out. A helicopter tried to lift people from the deck of the ship, but the strong winds caused problems for the operation, reports said. The cable for the rescue attempt was lost in the attempt so a second helicopter had to be sent.

The incident occurred 4 nautical miles east of Lungmen in the Penghu archipelago, which lies halfway between Taiwan’s main island and China.

The Ocean Researcher V measures 2,700 tons, is 72.6 meters long and 15.4 meters wide, and reaches a top speed of 12 knots. The vessel started service in August 2012, was built in Taiwan and is owned by the government, according to a report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times.

