VIDEO: Freighter goes aground on coral reef in Japan
A Chinese freighter ran aground on a large coral reef just off the Japanese island of Ishigaki, 125nmi to the east of Taiwan.
It’s reported that the freighter Xin Hai Zhou 2 lost power between Ishigaki and Kohama Island, with the crew requesting assistance from the Japan Coast Guard.
High winds caused the ship to drift, and it grounded on the reef around 9.30am, on 24 January. The video shows powerful waves pummelling the stricken vessel.
Nineteen seafarers were onboard at the time of the incident. A helicopter was dispatched to rescue them, and no injuries have been reported.
The area is known for its reefs, diving destinations, and seaside resorts. While no pollution has been reported, any potential fuel spill from the vessel could have a significant impact on the fragile marine ecosystem.
Japan recently come under scrutiny after it revealed plans to release more than a million tonnes of radioactive wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.
Just to annoyingly point out that 125nm is a very small distance, ‘nm’ being a nano metre. The distance is more likely to be in NM, Nautical Miles.