YU ZHOU QI HANG
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Attempts to drain fuel failed so far
Taiwan has rejected allegations by China on Nov. 13, that it turned down requests by the “Yu Zhou Qi Hang” to seek shelter in Keelung Port before the typhoon hit. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) alleged the crew had asked to return to Keelung before Typhoon Kong-rey arrived, but Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau replied they had made no such request, The crew wanted to leave Keelung before the typhoon and decided on their direction by themselves, the bureau said. Since the ship was carrying at least 290 tons of oil products, efforts were launched to prevent an oil spill from affecting the New Taipei coastline. However, since Nov. 2, several attempts at pumping out the oil were abandoned due to rough weather. The Ministry of Transportation wanted a new try to go ahead on Nov. 14, with the task to be completed within two weeks. The necessary equipment has been affixed to the “Yu Zhou Qi Hang,” but the approach of another typhoon, Usagi, might complicate the work. The Central Weather Administration was expected to issue sea warnings for the storm early on Nov 14, with land warnings likely to follow later in the day at the earliest.
Fear of oil spill days after grounding
The "Yu Zhou Qi Hang" has led the authorities to fear a risk of an oil spill. Oil booms have been installed as a precaution at the entrances to three local fishing ports and at the water inlet of the Kuosheng nuclear power plant. The vessel had 247 tons of heavy fuel oil and 37 tons of diesel, as well as 6,280 liters of lubricating oil on board. Authorities began trying to siphon the oil from the tanks on Nov 2. The New Taipei Environmental Protection Bureau said the ship’s owners will be held accountable and was required to take emergency measures to prevent pollution. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $940,000. Report with video: https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/accidents-en-mer/video-le-transporteur-chinois-et-ses-grues-renversees-font-craindre-une-maree-noire-9bd65566-9a91-11ef-940c-520b50887c11
Oil removal still hampered by inclement weather
The Transportation Ministry Northern Port Management Director He Wen-zhi (何文智) has assured the public that even though the operation originally scheduled to remove the remaining oil from the fuel tanks of the 'Yu Zhou Qi Hang (鈺洲啟航)' was still standing by, waiting for salvage crews for more stable ocean conditions, the integrity of the ship was stable and there would be no leakage problem. An oil pumping platform was still unable to get close to the wreck due to strong wind and waves. , the Port Bureau has contacted another oil pumping platform with lifting function, and is currently negotiating with one in Miaoli. The ship, half sunk and off-kilter from the weight of its crane cargo, has become a spectacle for tourists visiting the area normally famous for its unique coastline and eroded rock formations. The insurance company had negotiated claims settlement with China Container and Keelung Port Branch after the initial crane incident, and departure permission was granted on Oct 28. Report with photo and video: https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2011965 https://udn.com/news/story/7320/8335787
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