Japanese boat on the rocks

A JAPANESE tuna fishing vessel, the Fukuseki Maru, ran aground about 15 kilometres south of the Ugab River mouth early Thursday morning.

Well-placed sources in the works ministry confirmed the event to The Namibian, stating that 24 crew members, all non-Namibians, were on board. A helicopter was sent out this morning to rescue most of them, leaving just a skeleton crew that would assist in efforts to salvage the ship.

The vessel ran onto a rock bed and it is believed to have been due to human error. No one was injured and most of the equipment and machinery apparently is still in good working order, hence hopes are high that the ship could be drawn into deeper water again.

The Fukuseki Maru was on its way to Walvis Bay with a cargo of tuna caught in Angolan waters.

According to the source there is apparently no reason illegal fishing in Namibian waters is suspected, although investigations will have to be done.

A salvage team comprising support vessels and divers was reportedly dispatched on Thursday already with the main concern being the safety of the crew, but also indications of a fuel spill.

The ship was ‘rolling’ due to the waves.

“The area in which the ship is stranded is a very active area, and close to shore. There is a spill but it is a lighter ship fuel and nature can take its course as it can evaporate and be dispersed by the active water. It is not possible to contain it in this zone,” the source said.

Depending on how far the local salvage effort is capable of returning the vessel to deeper waters, large tugs may be summoned from South Africa.

By this morning the various options were still being weighed, but the crew was safe.

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