BBC NEWS: Sunday, 31 December 2006, 03:38 GMT
Stormy seas and high winds are hampering the rescue effort
Indonesian rescue teams are searching for survivors after a ferry carrying about 600 people sank off the coast of Java during a storm early on Saturday.
Naval boats and several aircraft are combing the area where the ship lost radio contact with port authorities. Severe weather has hampered operations.
At least 100 people have been accounted for, many picked up by local fishing boats patrolling safer waters.
People have been known to survive for days in Indonesia's tropical waters.
The vessel, Senopati Nusantara, was carrying 628 people including 57 crew when it sank, according to Indonesia's Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa.
I was going upstairs to try to help my daughter, but the ship suddenly broke up and I was thrown out - I lost her
He said vessel, built in Japan in 1990, was seaworthy and had a capacity of more than 850 passengers.
"We will continue the search operation, normally until seven days, but it can be extended until we are sure that we have made our utmost efforts," he said.
Four naval ships, several other vessels and at least two aircraft have been combing the area since dawn from where the ship lost radio contact with port authorities.