Mystery Rock
The 170 meter long, 15542 dwt freighter Le Shan went aground to the approach to Tema New Town, Ghana. The Le Shan did not follow navigational instructions to hand over the vessel to a local pilot before it struck a rocky obstruction known as “mystery rock”. Local tugs were unable to refloat the vessel and additional tugs from Benin and Nigeria were requested. After 10 days and many attempts, the Le Shan remained firmly stuck on the rock. The owners have begun to lighter the freighter’s cargo to barges in hopes to allow the vessel to be pulled free. No reports of injuries or pollution being released. Reports state the Le Shan was making its first voyage to Tema.
The mystery rock has claimed several vessels previously including the MV Nuchatel and MV Jolly Zaffiro.