Cargo Ship Sinks off Gaolan Port

zoom Zhuhai Maritime Bureau rescued nine crew members from a cargo ship that sank near the Gaolan port on May 21, Chinas Maritime and Safety Administration reports. The captain of the cargo ship Guangdong Union 68 reported water ingress in the ships engine room, which reportedly disabled the engine at around 7 pm local time. The vessel was adrift in high waves some 700 meters from the entrance to the Gaolan ports main channel. The captain of the ship initially intended to beach the ship on one of the surrounding shores. The nine crew members abandoned the ship and boarded a life raft. Zhuhai Maritime Bureau deployed tugs which reached the sinking ship and the crew at around 7:10 pm local time. The Guandong Union 68 was en route from Hong Kong to Taishan, laden with 2,600 tons of dry bulk cargo. Zhuhai Maritime Bureau reported no oil spills, and is closely monitoring the area to prevent any secondary accidents. World Maritime News Staff