When crew gave a distress call, the 23,386 dwt Yong Feng was sailing in the Philippine Sea, about 400 nautical miles to the southeast of Japan.

The Japanese Coast Guard announced that the call for assistance was received at around 4 am local time. The vessel reported taking on water and was in danger of sinking. The crew suggested that they were planning to leave the ship in a lifeboat.

A rescue vessel was dispatched by the Japanese Coast Guard and reconnaissance flights were also arranged. However, the crew were rescued by a passing Taiwanese fishing boat before the Japanese patrol boat arrived. Taiwanese officials confirmed that the 22 crew of 14 Chinese and 8 Bangladeshi nationals on board the fishing vessel were uninjured and all safe.

On 30 December, the Yong Feng, which is registered in Panama, left Port Morseby, Papua New Guinea, carrying 13,880 pine logs. It is expected the vessel will arrive this weekend in Shanghai, China.

Maritime Business World