Two fishing vessels hit by a storm Sunday night in the Bohai Strait off east China's Shandong province have been rescued by the Beihai Rescue Bureau under the Ministry of Communications, with all the fishermen on board returned home safely.

    The two vessels, Luchangbu 6001 and Luchangbu 6002, got lost ina strong gale and heavy storm at 6:25 p.m. on Sunday in the sea area around Changdao Island near Penglai of Shandong. They startedto ask for help after their fuel had been exhausted, according to sources with the rescue bureau.

    Belonging to the Daqin Island of Changdao county, the two shipsleft Daqin Island for maintenance on the afternoon of July 7, carrying only a small amount of fuel and even no GPS (global positioning system), necessary navigation equipment or technicians.On their way towards Changshan Island, they were caught by a rare gale and storm.

    When they sailed to the water area at the northern part of Changshan Island, Luchangbu 6002 ran out of fuel and began to send"SOS" signals, while the other vessel could only look on as it hadlittle fuel left.

    A rescue team from the bureau struggled its way to the spot andmanaged to hook up the two fishing vessels in distress at about 8:30 p.m., while a heavy storm and ferocious gale raged on the dark sea. The sources said that in such dangerous circumstances, it wasalmost incredible that the two vessels were able to be rescued at last.