Strong gales and stormy waves trapped 64 fishermen aboard 20 ships off the coast near northeast China's port city of Dalian on Thursday morning.

The fishing boats were stranded in the sea area some 300 meters away from the Dawangjia Island in the Yellow Sea, of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province, according to the air salvation squadron under the Ministry of Transport quartered at Dalian.

"We received report from the fishermen at around 11:30 AM, saying the situation is very dangerous and two or three boats had capsized," said Ren Anning, an official with the squadron.

The squadron sent two copters to the accident site and rescue boats from local marine affairs bureau were also on their way to the site for rescue work.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2008)