Source: www.chinanews.com.cn

 

Updated: 2010-3-4

 
 

 

 

 

 

At 09: 08 March 3, Taizhou maritime department in Zhejiang Province received a report, saying that a sand carrier “YONG TAI 29” from open seas collided with the new sluice in Jinqing due to improper operation, and the ship careened with the risk of sinking at any time. The 4 crew members on board were in great danger.

 

Taizhou maritime department launched the emergency plan at once as soon as it received the report, sending out a patrol ship “HAI XUN 1166” at 09:29.

 

“HAI XUN 1166” got to the accident site 9 minutes later, finding out that the ship has already leaned to the left seriously, and half of the hull has sunken with 4 seamen waiting for rescue at the top of the ship.

 

However, the water is not deep enough at accident site while the bottom is hard, the maritime patrol ship had to get close to the ship slowly in case of the surge or collision with the sand carrier.

 

At 09:46, 4 seamen in distress were transferred to “HAI XUN 1166” and the sand carrier was sunken. Later, maritime officials have set up bold warning signs at the position of the sunken ship to remind the passing vessels.

 

The investigation of accident cause is still under going. It is learned that the 46m-long sand carrier was registered in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province and was carrying sand from Ningbo to Wenling in Taizhou.