Fish carrier runs aground in Marshall Islands

A Chinese-flagged commercial fishing carrier ran aground northeast of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands on Wednesday, January 2.

Maritime Rescue Coordination Center China notified the US Coast Guard (USCG) at 14:15 UTC on January 2 that the 93-metre Ou Ya Leng 6 had run aground and was taking on water on Taka Atoll 180 nautical miles northeast of Kwajalein.

A USCG HC-130 Hercules spotter aircraft was the first to arrive on scene and make contact with the distressed crew, who have remained on board the vessel contrary to initial reports stating that they had abandoned ship.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Sea Patrol vessel Lomor, the crude oil tanker Andrea Victory, and two fishing vessels were all en route to the scene of the incident to render assistance as of 00:00 UTC on Thursday, January 3. The three commercial vessels are expected to arrive Thursday.

No injuries or oil spills have been reported. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.