A container ship ran aground onto a reef just 400 m off the coast of the Shimen District [Taiwan], at a depth of 7 m in a highly sensitive environment (fishing grounds, tourist sites, nuclear power plants). The 21 crew members were rescued from the vessel. Two weeks later, the ship began to break in two under due to pressure from the waves. Some of the containers fell into the water, and over 300 t of fuel and 100 t of chemicals were spilt and polluted the beaches. Pollution of the water intakes at a nearby nuclear power plant was also feared. The Coast Guard installed oil booms, and the hydrocarbons were then pumped out.

Clean-up work

At the same time, about a hundred people began cleaning up the coastline. The shipowner chartered several cranes to recover the containers that had washed up on the beaches. Air assets, satellites and coastal radar were used to monitor the extent of pollution. It took the various teams of experts involved over 5 months to complete the maritime clean-up operations and remove the vessel. Upon completion of the clean-up operations along the coast, over 66 m³ of oil was recovered, as well as 128 t of contaminated waste. The accident attracted a great deal of media attention.

Cause of the event

The accident was caused by engine failure and poor weather conditions. Under the influence of the strong winter monsoon, the area in which the ship was operating was swept by rough seas with waves up to 6 m high and force 12 winds.