A crew member has died after a South Korean product tanker sank off Taiwan.
The 8,400-dwt Kelsey 2 (built 2002) went down after taking on water on the morning of 15 October, 25 nautical miles (46 km) south of Wuqiu Island in the Taiwan Strait, Nauticus Live reported.
Video footage shows a coast guard helicopter winching crew to safety as the ship listed to port in heavy seas.
Nineteen seafarers were rescued from the South Korea-flag tanker, which was sailing at 7.1 knots at the time it got into difficulty.
The ship was believed to be carrying a cargo of oil and chemicals. There has been no report of any pollution so far.
The crew reported water ingress in the engine room on the evening of 14 October.
The Kelsey 2 had left Hong Kong on 12 October and was heading for Gunsan in South Korea, where it was due to dock on 16 October.
The last AIS update showed it not under command on 15 October.
Clean port state control record
South Korean manager Eastern Tanker has been contacted for further information.
The owner is listed as Wooshin Marine of Busan, South Korea.
The ship has insurance cover through the Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association.
The Kelsey 2 has never been detained during 34 port state control inspections. No deficiencies have been listed since 2018.
