The Foreign Ministry has launched a rescue mission for Chinese
seamen on a sinking cargo off the Philippine coast, a statement
released from the ministry said on Tuesday.
The Panamanian-registered "Jin Shan", with 28 crew members on
board, began to sink near the coast of Ilocos Norte province on
Sunday afternoon after springing a leak. It was completely below
surface as of 3:00 a.m. on Monday, according to China's Maritime
Rescue Coordinating Center (MRCC).
The ministry had closely monitored the accident and immediately
launched an emergency rescue plan, according to the statement.
The Chinese embassy had asked the Philippine government for its
full cooperation on the day of the accident, the statement
added.
The ship, which had sailed from the Solomon Islands bound for
Jiangsu province in eastern China, called Beijing's MRCC for help
as it cruised 68 nautical miles northwest of Cape Bojeador on the
northern Philippines' Luzon island.
Twenty-six seamen in inflatable lifeboats were picked up by a
Japanese crude oil vessel. The captain and a technician insisted on
staying on the sinking cargo ship to rescue the goods.
The Japanese ship "Towada" was heading towards Japan and the 26
seamen were in "very good condition" the statement said.
China had expressed its gratitude for help from the Philippines
and the ministry and the local embassy would continue their efforts
toward the rescue of the two who had stayed behind, as well as
settlement for the saved Chinese seamen, the statement added.
(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2008)
