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Responders unable to approach grounded ship near Cocos Island
On the morning of July 30, 2014, Coast Guard Sector Guam received a report that the 49-foot, Japanese flagged, fishing vessel Take Maru 55 went aground on the west side of Cocos Island with six crewmembers aboard. The six individuals disembarked the vessel and swam to Cocos Island to seek shelter from the effects of Tropical Storm Halong. (USCG)
On July 31, 2014, the captain of the Port Guam established a 400-yard safety zone around the grounded vessel. This is an exclusion zone and mariners are not authorized within the zone at any time. Mariners, recreational boaters, and persons are advised to exercise extreme caution in areas in the vicinity around the safety zone due to the dangers associated with a grounded vessel.
Weather conditions have continued to prevent responders from reaching the vessel’s location in order to conduct an on-site assessment. The high surf has made conditions unsafe for responders to approach the vessel by small boat. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 was able to conduct an over-flight to aid in assessing the situation. It is likely that responders will not be able to reach the scene until early this week when weather conditions are forecasted to improve. The National Weather Service has a high surf advisory in effect and advises that conditions will likely remain hazardous through Monday night. The surf is forecasted to be seven to 10 feet for today and gradually decrease over the next few days.
The six crewmembers had no medical incidents and were safely rescued by Guam Fire and Rescue. (PR)
