Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard says that a missing Sri Lankan fishing vessel was located on Wednesday.

MNDF said that it had been searching for the missing vessel since January 9, after Sri Lankan authorities sought their help in locating the vessel.

"It was located 153 miles west off the coast of Haa Dhaalu Atoll Makunudhoo, late Wednesday night by Coast Guard Huravee," said MNDF.

Noting that all four crew members were onboard, MNDF said that one of the crew members “is in poor health" due to the ordeal.

"The rest are in good health", added MNDF.

After locating the vessel, MNDF began work to pull the vessel to Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi, and are expected to enter the Kulhudhuffushi harbor by 11 pm on Thursday.

The 32-foot long vessel had left the Lankan waters on December 24.