Publish Date: 12 January 2009 - 11:23

Rescuers are continuing their search for 246 people still missing a day after their ferry capsized off the coast of Indonesia.

Of the 267 people the ferry was carrying, 21 have been rescued, said R. Arsono, the director of operations for the local search and rescue agency.

According to local officials, severe weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, hampered rescue efforts late Sunday.

Port officials said two navy ships were also deployed on Monday to join the rescue effort, CNN reported.

Indonesians rely heavily on sea transport because it is the easiest way to navigate throughout the country's 17,000 islands.

PA/PA

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MNA