A BOATLOAD of 85 Sri Lankans are being housed on board a naval ship after being intercepted heading to Christmas Island. Border protection officials have been monitoring the leaky boat since it was first spotted by a plane on Monday.Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the group agreed to come on board HMAS Success last night, and would remain there temporarily. Mr Andrews said the vessel was not engaged in any legitimate commercial activity and the men were "potential unauthorised arrivals". His office late today said the men had indicated their intention to reach Christmas Island but had "not expressed any particular intent" towards claiming asylum.
HMAS Success intercepted the boat in international waters, about 50 nautical miles from Christmas Island, early Tuesday. "During subsequent contact between HMAS Success and those on the boat, it was determined that their vessel was unseaworthy," Mr Andrews said. "Because of fears for their safety if they remained on the unseaworthy vessel, the group agreed to come aboard HMAS Success last night."
"This group will remain on board HMAS Success until more details are available." Mr Andrews' office could not say where the men would be taken next.
Refugee advocates today said it was likely the men will be taken to a detention centre on Christmas Island or to Nauru for processing under the so-called "Pacific Solution".