The 86 meter long cargo vessel Jinlong 7 caught fire in the East China Sea near Jeju Island, South Korea. The Jinlong 7 was en route to Shanghai from Rajun with a cargo of 1200 tons of timber when a fire broke out in the engine room. The crew was able to extinguish the blaze before help had time to arrive. The fire disabled the vessel and it was towed to Seogwipo, Jeju island for repairs. Reports state the fire was started by a broken fuel pipe.
On March 11, the 104 meter long, 6532 dwt general cargo vessel Eastern Amber capsized in East China Sea off Jeju Island, South Korea. On March 4, the Eastern Amber had been damaged by a collision and its 18 crew had abandoned ship. The Eastern Amber was taken under tow by a salvage tug and proceeded back to port. However, the Eastern Amber continue to flood and eventually lost stability and rolled over. No reported of injuries.
The 78 meter long, 2724 dwt freighter Longshan went aground in the East China Sea at Jeju Island, South Korea. The Longshan struck a reef off the coast causing hull damage with ballast and fuel tanks breached on the port side. The crew contacted the Coast Guard who dispatched rescue crafts to the scene. The 12 crew on board were safely rescued. A large oil spill formed estimated around 2,000 litres from the ruptured fuel tanks. The authorities placed booms around the vessel to contain the pollution released while response crews begin clean up operations. Reports state the Longshan had some 35 tons of fuel oil with another 5 tons of diesel fuel on board. Local residents reported the strong smell of the oil pollution caused headaches and nausea with some to vomit. The Coast Guard stated the Longshan would be towed off the reef at the next high tide.
