Oslo - Search operations continued Tuesday for a Norwegian fishing boat and its 68-year-old owner reported missing off north- western Norway, rescue officials and local media reported.

There were fears the fishing boat may have collided with another vessel, off Andoya island that is part of the Vesteralen archipelago.

A Russian freighter, identified as Mekhanik Tyulenev, was believed to have been in the vicinity of the fishing boat Monday morning.

The freighter docked Tuesday in Bodo harbour where police were to study its charts and other navigational equipment as well as the vessel itself, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported.

The fishing boat was reported missing on Monday afternoon, triggering a search operation. (dpa)