Chinese maritime authorities are working Thursday to rescue a disabled Republic of Korea fishing vessel adrift off the coast of the east China city of Wenzhou.

The main engine of the SUN CHUN 307 broke down late Wednesday night in the East China Sea amid strong winds, large swells and low temperatures, the Wenzhou Maritime Search and Rescue Center said in a statement.

The one Chinese and eight Korean sailors aboard the vessel are in no danger, the statement added.

The center dispatched a rescue vessel at about midnight after receiving a request from the Korean coast guard.

The center also then asked a nearby fishing vessel to help. That vessel approached the Korean vessel in the early hours of Thursday. But because of the strong winds and large swell, it was unable to tow the disabled vessel to safety. However, it is staying close to the adrift vessel to monitor the situation.

The center's statement said the Chinese rescue vessel will arrive at the scene late Thursday afternoon.