Seven fishermen were safely back home Saturday after surviving five days at sea, yesterday's Daily Sunshine reported. Their vessel capsized 140 nautical miles off Shenzhen on March 3.

The crew members from Fujian Province were rescued by a Shenzhen fishing boat Friday afternoon although another six remain missing.

County officials escorted the seven back to their hometown in Dongshan County on Saturday, while the search continues for their colleagues.

"We received a signal for help from a local fishing boat 40 nautical miles off Shenzhen at around 6 p.m. Friday. Crew on that boat said they had just rescued seven fishermen who might need medical treatment," said Yu Wenjie, captain of South China Sea Rescuer No. 159.

It took the rescue ship four hours to find the Shenzhen boat and pick up the survivors.

"The rescuers brought us hot noodles, gave us physical checkups and applied ointment to our blisters," said Chen Yinping, one of the seven. "Then we called our families to let them know we were still alive."

The fishermen had put to sea on March 5 for a 10-day trip. "We planned to sail for 10 hours before anchoring to fish, then return," said Chen Wenyuan, another crew member.

"It was a new boat launched just five months ago. We are all from fishermen's families and have met big waves before. But this was an unforgettable experience," he said.

After four hours at sea, many of the crew, asleep in their cabins, suddenly felt strong shaking. Then came the call of captain Yang Zhenkun, one of the missing: "The boat will capsize -- everyone run for your lives!"

The boat capsized within five minutes and Chen Wenyuan jumped into the sea. "Everyone was calling for help and I called out for their names. The seven of us climbed up onto the bottom of the boat and mourned over our lost friends," he said.

They tried to keep their balance on the upturned boat when a lifeboat floated out from underneath.

Despite passing boats in the distance, nobody could hear their call for help. After two days at sea, the seven had to drink their own urine until they drifted near the Shenzhen fishing boat.

Editor: Donald