Sailors from two Hawai'i-based long-line fishing boats yesterday found the dog aboard the crippled refueling tanker Insiko 1907. But after 24 hours of trying, they have been unable to persuade her to leave, said Rusty Nall, vice president of American Marine Services, which coordinated the search for the dog.

The problem is, the dog understands commands in Mandarin and the would-be rescuers only speak English, Nall said.

Forgea was left behind April 2 when 11 Insiko crewmen were rescued by the cruise ship Norwegian Star. Insiko lost all power and one sailor was killed when it caught fire in March.

The dead sailor's body remains inside the ship, out of reach for anyone except specially equipped search teams, Nall said.

Nall said four people from the long-liners were aboard the Insiko, armed with Forgea's favorite food ­ peanut butter ­ and the word lai, Mandarin for "come."

"They are still getting to know each other," Nall said today. "The dog keeps going below decks and the crewmen don't want to go down there because of the damage from the fire. It's pretty dangerous."

He was confident the sailors would retrieve Forgea today.

The crews boarded the Insiko, which was drifting west, about 700 miles southwest of Honolulu. A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 had located the tanker Saturday during a flight to determine if Insiko would run aground on Johnston Atoll.

Pamela Burns, president of the Hawaiian Humane Society, today said Forgea appears to be in good health, although a bit skittish.

"Forgea has been alone for nearly three weeks, so it is natural that she is a little wary of rescuers," she said.

The humane society spent $50,000 on the search, which began April 5. At one point, searchers thought the Insiko had sunk, but it was subsequently sighted by a fishing vessel on April 9.

Coast Guard officials are trying to decide what to do with the tanker, which is reported to have 200 tons of diesel fuel in its hold, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Lt. DesaRae Atnip.

Sinking the 256-foot Insiko in deep water or towing it back to Honolulu are two of the options being considered, Atnip said.