The 3221 dwt bulk freighter Hai Xuan 116 went aground near Vũng Tàu, Vietnam. The freighter was en route to Dong Nai from Hai Phong with 3,000 tons of ore when it became disabled. The vessel’s steering system malfunctioned and the Hai Xuan 116 drifted ashore. No reports of injuries to the 11 crew on board. Authorities had dispatched a vessel to help coordinate salvage efforts. Reports state there is a risk for the hull to fracture
The night between November 24/25, the 88 meter long freighter Xing Long Zhou 65 and the 96 meter long, bulk freighter Zihai Shun sank off China. Both vessels had been battling strong winds and heavy seas coming from a storm.
The Xing Long Zhou 65 sank on November 24 off the city of Yantai, China. A distress call was sent out, but authorites couldn’t establish communication with the vessel. Authorities believe the Xing Long Zhou 65 had foundered with 12 crew and its cargo of stone a few minutes after the distress call was sent out. Three bodies were recovered, but nine others were still missing.
The Zihai Shun sank on November 25 near Weihai City, China. The freighter was en route for Bayuquan from Wenzhou with 14 crew when it was overwhelmed in the heavy seas. Seven bodies were recovered and seven are still listed as missing.
Chinese authorities launched a search and rescue operations. Along with aircraft and helicopters, some 28 merchant vessels were searching for survivors.
Sihai Shun
One freighter and two tankers were blown aground during the night when strong winds were whipped up near Ulsan, South Korea. The 112 meter long, 4675 dwt freighter Zhou Hang 2, 116 meter long, 11347 dwt tanker CS Crane and the 90 meter long, 3565 dwt tanker Bum Jin 5 had been at an anchorage off Ulsan. As conditions worsened, the vessels weighed anchor to move further away from shore. Before the vessels could reach a new anchorage, the winds reached 45 miles per hour and waves rose up to four meters. The vessels were pushed off course and went ashore. The Zhou Hang 2 suffered hull damage as it struck an underwater rock formation just offshore. No reports of injuries to the total crew of 46 men across all three vessels. The South Korean Coast Guard responded and were able to rescue 11 crew off the CS Crane. No information has been reported if any pollution had been released. Reports state weather alerts had been issue by authorities the day before.
