Stricken asylum boat south of Java now taking water AN asylum boat crammed with 100 people is taking on water south of Java. A merchant ship has been called to the scene 25 nautical miles off Indonesia to rescue to passengers from the stricken vessel. The unfolding rescue is the third this week. Passengers on the vessel called the Australian Maritime Safety's rescue coordination centre this morning. Indonesia's search agency BASARNAS is sending a vessel from Jakarta. Australian rescue agencies remain on contact with the stricken asylum boat with its position tracking slowly south. More to come ...