As many as 11 crew were feared dead after 9,484 dwt general cargo ship Jin Tian (IMO 9578713) sank in icy waters between South Korea and Japan early on Wednesday January 25th local time.
Winds were fierce at the time, according to the Japanese Coast Guard said, adding that it continued to search for survivors.
Six of the 11 seafarers who were rescued remained unconscious, while five had been revived as of 20:30 local time, the Japan Coast Guard said, partly citing information from its South Korean counterpart.
The Jin Tian’s crew consisted of Chinese and Myanmar nationals according to media reports. The vessel had issued a distress call late on Tuesday, the Japanese Coast Guard said.
The vessel was about 75nm south of Jeju island, Korea, en route from Port Klang, Malaysia (departed December 3rd), to Incheon, South Korea (ETA January 25th) at the time. The last report from the ship was around 02:25 Seoul time, stating that the crew was abandoning ship.
2010-built, Hong Kong-flagged, 6,551 gt Jin Tian is owned by Long Bright Shipping Ltd care of manager Shenzhen Shekou Shipping & Transportation Co Ltd of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It is entered with West of England (Claims Team Hong Kong) on behalf of Long Bright Shipping Ltd.