SEOUL - The South Korean Coast Guard rescued 14 Chinese sailors from their fishing boat that sank in South Korean waters early Monday, local media reported.

The Coast Guard dispatched two patrol boats after it received a rescue request at around 2 am local time from the 150-ton fishing ship that was sailing about 22 kilometers west of the island of Gageo, off the country's southwestern coast, according to Yonhap news agency.

The Coast Guard was able to move the ship to safety three hours after the accident occurred.

The boat is scheduled to leave for China when repairs are finished.