Stranded boat people deported

SURABAYA, East Java: A boat carrying 39 Chinese that landed at a quay in Gresik, East Java, was sent back to the open sea Thursday afternoon escorted by an Indonesian naval vessel, Antara reported yesterday.

Gresik port security personnel arrested the 39 boat people on Wednesday, including seven women, who were without passports. Authorities inspected the old, wooden boat and found that the passengers did not have any navigational equipment except for a compass.

The passengers only brought cooking utensils and a fishnet.

They told police investigators that their destination was either Australia or New Zealand, where they hoped to lead a better life. They ran out of fuel and decided to beach on the Indonesian shore.

They said they had been sailing for 40 days before they were spotted and apprehended by an Indonesian patrol boat.

Police spokesman Lt. Col. Santoso said while berthed at the Gresik pier, they were not allowed to leave their boat, and were under guard.

The authorities provided the boat people with food and fuel, about enough to reach the shores of Australia or New Zealand, Santoso added. (swe)