Tokyo: Mitsui OSK Line, in an update on the wrecking of its capesize Giant
Step, says that two members of the 26 crew died, eight are missing, 13 were
rescued by Japanese Coastguard helicopters, and three drifted ashore on the
coast. The vessel, on its way from Port Walcott, Australia, with 190,000
tonnes of iron ore, anchored off Kashima port while waiting for a berth. The ship weighed anchor to move offshore to escape the storms of last weekend but a faulty anchor windlass prevented completion of the manouevre and gale force winds blew the ship ashore. The hull broke up into three pieces under the pounding of wind and water and bunker oil and cargo leaked into the sea. The company says it will extract the remaining bunker oil from the ship when the weather calms down. [11/10/06]
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