HANGZHOU, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people aboard a fishing boat went missing early Tuesday morning in the East China Sea, local authorities said.

The boat named Zhedaiyu 03803, from Daishan County of coastal Zhoushan City in Zhejiang Province, lost contact early Monday morning, according to the municipal maritime and fisheries bureau.

Rescue boats and helicopters are searching at the site. Stormy waves have hindered the rescue, according to the bureau.