VANCOUVER - It's still a "mystery ship." But immigration officers now believe a boat spotted off the Queen Charlotte Islands in B.C. is heading for Canadian waters.

Immigration officials say the ship is similar to the one that arrived off of Vancouver Island last month. Immigration official George Varnay says it has no markings, no flag and no name. But Varnay says there is one difference

"The ship appears to be in pretty good condition," says Varnay. "It appears from the photographs that it is in much better condition than the previous one." Varnay says the surveillance aircraft spotted people on deck for the first time late this afternoon. That's just hours after the vessel stopped going in circles and began steaming westward toward Canadian waters.

RCMP and immigration officers, doctors and interpreters are on their way to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Varnay isn't certain what will happen next. He says that once the boat reaches Canadian territorial waters, it may face a warning. But it may also be escorted to shore - and if there is a human cargo on board, the drama of last month will be played out all over again.