According to a report from the Dung Quat Port Border Guard Station, the vessel suffered engine failure while fishing and drifted into waters off Danang City on January 3 before being pushed by strong winds and waves onto the coast of Van Tuong, Quang Ngai Province. No crew members were found on board.
The drifting foreign vessel off Quang Ngai waters poses oil spill risk
Border guards identified the ship as a steel-hulled fishing vessel measuring more than 46 metres in length and 8.5 metres in width, used solely for fishing and not equipped with any military hardware. The vessel bears the number 08888 and Chinese characters on its hull.
Many parts of the ship were heavily rusted and damaged, with machinery no longer operational. The cabin was in disarray, and multiple documents written in Chinese were found on board.
Authorities believe the main engine is beyond repair. Signs of daily activity indicate that the crew abandoned the vessel around five to seven days before it was discovered. Diesel fuel remains stored in the ship’s tanks, creating a risk of oil leakage that could harm the marine environment.
The vessel is currently stranded near key infrastructure, including an oil pipeline connected to the Dung Quat Oil Refinery and a Petrolimex fuel depot, about 200 metres to the northeast, raising concerns over environmental safety as well as defence and security.
The Dung Quat Port Border Guard Station has recommended mobilising specialised forces to inspect the vessel, check for explosive or flammable materials, secure the ship, and assess remaining fuel volumes to prepare for potential oil spill response.
