Oceanic Viking nabs asylum seeker boat

The Oceanic Viking has intercepted a boat carrying 53 suspected asylum seekers and
four crew about 22 nautical miles north of West Islet in the Ashmore Islands.
It is the 50th asylum seeker vessel to be intercepted in Australian waters this year.
The boat was intercepted at 10.56am (AEDT) on Thursday.
The Oceanic Viking was on its way back from Indonesia following the end to a
month-long stand-off between Australian authorities and 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers
aboard the Customs vessel.
It is unclear whether the asylum seekers intercepted on Thursday had been taken
aboard the Oceanic Viking.
A statement from Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said the group was being
transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and
health checks.
Mr O'Connor said the government remained vigilant and committed to protecting
Australia's borders.
"Recent meetings with government officials in Indonesia and Malaysia have led to
positive steps forward in bilateral and regional cooperation to deter people
smuggling," he said.
Since September 2008, Australian Federal Police have charged 64 people with people
smuggling offences.