The 75 meter long,1884 gt fishing vessel Tiantai was reported lost in the southern Indian Ocean near the location 60 00.96S 102 18.12E.  The vessel was most likely fishing for the Patagonian toothfish off Antarctica when it encountered severe weather with seven meter waves and 70 kph winds.   The vessel’s emergency beacon alerted authorities who dispatched aircraft to find the fishing vessel.   However the search was called off after spotting only debris in the area.  Any crew who made it to a life raft could not survive in the freezing conditions.  Reports state the official registration for the Tiantai was in doubt and the vessel may have been involved in illegal fishing.

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