Chinese longliner LU RONG YUAN YU 588 ran aground on reefs of Pointe-aux-Sables, west of Port Louis, Mauritius, on Mar 7, probably being caught in rough seas. Fishing vessel issued distress signal and, understood, requested evacuation. Helicopter was scrambled to assist, witnesses reported distress flares fired from the vessel. Evacuation is hampered by rough weather.
Mar 8 UPDATE: All 16 crew (14 Chinese, 1 Indonesian, 1 Filipino) were airlifted to safety by helicopter. Longliner remains aground, attempts to refloat will be taken on Mar 8 as weather permits. No oil leak, there are some 130 tons of fuel on board.
Longliner LU RONG YUAN YU 588, IMO 9708655, GT 357, built 2013, flag China, owner RONGCHENG YONGJIN AQUATIC CO.,LTD, Shandong (WCPFC).
