On November 4, the 169 meter long general cargo ship Tian Xiang 69 sustained an explosion while off Weihai, China. The explosion occurred in the vessel’s crankcase seriously injuring five crewmen. Authorities dispatched a helicopter to the scene and airlifted the injured crew to a nearby hospital. The cause of the explosion was not yet known. Reports state authorities has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 97 meter long cargo vessel Run Wu 9 sank in the East China Sea off Dachen Island, Zhenjiang, China. The crew reported to authorities that the Run Wu 9 had suffered water ingress while in strong winds and heavy seas. Authorities dispatched a rescue boat to the scene. All 15 crew from the Run Wu 9 were rescued a few minutes before the Run Wu 9 sank. No reports of injuries. The Run Wu 9 was en route to Ningbo from Dongshan Dao. The cause of the water ingress was not reported.
On September 19, the 149 meter long bulk carrier Grace Mariner became disabled during a heavy storm in the Taiwan Strait. The vessel was between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces when it suffered a mechanical failure and went adrift. The crew requested assistance with the Chinese Authorities dispatching a rescue vessel to the scene. The rescue vessel East Sea Rescue 116 arrived on scene and took the Grace Mariner under tow. The vessels proceeded to Xiamen to an anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
