The Australian patrol boat HMAS DUBBO (LCDR D. Allen) has intercepted two Indonesian fishing boats on which all the passengers wanted to come to Australia to live. The encounters occurred in waters off north-western Australia, last month (June).

On June 4 DUBBO found a Type 3 Indonesian fishing boat at Ashmore Reef.

On board were four Indonesian crewmen and 10 Bangladeshi men aged 23 to 25, all students.

One of the Bangladeshis spoke English and told LCDR Allen and his company they had left Bangladesh and travelled to India, on to Malaysia and then to Indonesia.

They had left Kupang in Indonesia on June 3 to travel the final leg to Australia. Each had paid $US100 for the trip.

The students said they were opponents of the government and were fleeing Bangladesh. They sought a new life in Australia.

Because of the poor condition of the fishing boat the 14 occupants were taken aboard the patrol boat and transported to Immigration officials in Broome.

DUBBO's work was far from over however. She departed Broome and on June 9 found a Type 2 Indonesian fishing boat in controlled waters.

The occupants were not fishing and told LCDR Allen and his team they were Indonesians fleeing their country.

They too asked come to Australia to live. DUBBO towed the boat to Willie Creek, just north of Broome where again Immigration officials waited.