Four were killed and three others missing after two engineering ships collided near Tianjin yesterday, the Ministry of Communications said.

Thirty other crew members were rescued by three helicopters by 7 pm, the ministry said. Rescue operations continue.

The strong gale also sank at least three fishing boats near Binzhou, Shandong province, yesterday morning, the ministry said.

Eighteen fishermen boarded a nearby engineering vessel after their boats sank. The ministry didn't say whether they swam to the ship or were picked up.

Torrential tidal waves made it difficult for the engineering ship to reach the shore. With five crew members on board, the vessel had a tough time navigating the choppy waters. Sailors called for help around 9 am.

Helicopters were sent to rescue them and all were safely on board an hour later.

They were among the 33 fishermen and sailors rescued from the waters near Shandong province yesterday.

An official surnamed Tan, from the Maritime Search & Rescue Center under the ministry, blamed the strong gale, moving at a speed of up to 64.8 km per hour.

"Accidents happen more frequently during bad weather," he said.

"The Bohai Sea is plagued by a strong wind, coupled with a sudden drop in temperature," Tan said, calling for fishermen and sailors to pay attention to warnings issued by the ministry.

(China Daily 04/16/2009 page3)