Crew flees to life rafts after vessel catches fire

HONOLULU (AP) - February 8, 2010 A Coast Guard search aircraft located the rafts Monday after the fire aboard the Taiwanese-flagged Hou Chun 11 was reported by the Rescue Coordination Center in Taiwan. Officials say the vessel remains afloat.

The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley is due to arrive on scene Tuesday morning. The Hou Chun 11's sister ship, Shin Shun, was also en route.

The Coast Guard says no injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is unknown.

A U.S. Navy P-3 is due to relieve the search aircraft Monday evening and stay until a second Coast Guard flight arrives late Monday.