Paul Hancock - Shipwreck Log

On the morning of June 11 the 171 meter long, 32115 dwt bulk carrier Run Fu 3 (IMO: 9138903) was abandoned in the Indian Ocean approximately 500 nautical miles south of the Maldives. The Run Fu 3 was headed to Lome from Tianjin when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress in one of the cargo holds. The bulk carrier’s pumps were unable to contain the flooding forcing the 23 crew on board to abandon ship. The crew sent out a distress call before evacuating into life rafts near lat 09 04 48S, long 073 34 06E.

The 190 meter long bulk carrier Maple Harbour (IMO: 9593323) heard the distress call and diverted course to assist. the Maple Harbour reached the lifeboats several hours later and rescued all 23 crew members. The Maple Harbour proceeded towards Port Louis, Mauritius where the Run Fu 3 to be transferred.

The Run Fu 3 was last reported adrift in sinking condition. No reports of injuries.

Wan Hai 503 Update

June 12, 2025 Paul Hancock

June 12 Update

Reports state the container vessel Wan Hai 503 which has been ablaze since June 9 has been successfully secured with a towing hawser. The towline was secured to the Indian Coast Guard vessel Samudra Prahari which keeping the container vessel from drifting closer to the shoreline. The Coast Guard plans to hand the towing to several tugboats which will pull the Wan Hai 503 further away from shore.

Four Indian Coast Guard vessels, Indian Air Force helicopters and salvage teams have now reported the fire approximately 40 percent under control. Multiple inner decks are still ablaze and dense grey smoke still emits from the forward cargo holds. Some 20,000 litres of fire fighting foam is being transported from Mumbai to help extinguish the fire. Helicopters are using dry chemical agents while vessels continue to spray water onto the vessel.

Indian Authorities still have concerns of the environmental impact if the blaze ignites the 2128 metric tons of fuel or reaches the hazardous cargo within some of the containers onboard. Officials have stated that some 24 containers had fallen into the sea with some possibly still afloat, but most have sunk.

Hein

June 12, 2025 Paul Hancock

On June 11, the 62 meter long, 1065 dwt cargo vessel Hein (IMO: 6702284) ran aground in the Gulf of Paria off the Chaguaramas Peninsula on Monas Island, Trinidad and Tobago. The Hein was headed to St Vincent and Grenadines with a cargo of bricks when it suffered a cargo shift and developed a heavy list to port. The vessel changed course and was intentionally driven aground before it capsized. No reports of injuries.

Authorities report the Hein partially sank along the portside stern. Oil pollution was spotted around the cargo vessel caused by the bilge. Island authorities have stated efforts are being made to stabilize and refloat the cargo vessel. A local advocacy group has asked urgent action taken to avoid damage to the marine life.