Investigators are blaming poor visibility and an unqualified
crew for Sunday's shipwreck that killed five people off southeast
China's Fujian Province, the local maritime bureau
said on Wednesday.
"Quanfeng 369", a Chinese cargo ship owned by the local Fengze
Shipping Company Ltd., sank off Quanzhou City in Fujian on Sunday
after colliding with "Xing'an", a ship registered in Nanjing, east
China's Jiangsu Province. Only seven of its 12 crew
members were rescued.
Rescuers had recovered five bodies by Tuesday night, said Zhou
Honghui, an official with the Quanzhou municipal maritime affairs
bureau.
Zhou blamed foggy weather for the collision. "Visibility was
only 500 to 600 meters when the accident occurred."
Besides, the vessel "Xing'an" only had nine crew members instead
of the 10 required for a ship of its size, he said. "Only three of
the crew members held licenses -- even the captain didn't have the
proper qualification."
Zhou said the maritime affairs bureau has started to salvage the
sunken ship.
"We have worked out a detailed plan to prevent pollution,
because 'Quanfeng 369' had 19 tons of diesel oil in its hold," he
said.
The bureau is warning off passing ships from the salvage
operation area.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2007)