Derelict cargo ship was found beached on the northern coast of Xijiyu Island, South Penghu Marine National Park, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, in the morning Jan 18. Penghu Marine Patrol arrived at the scene and didn’t find anyone on board, understood they weren’t able to identify the ship during their inspection, either, because they couldn’t board her. From the looks of the ship, she was either taken away by storm from her anchorage somewhere, being obviously, abandoned and in a long-term lay-up, or she was under tow to scrap yard, and broke off her towage. Starboard anchor is dropped. She’s a middle-sized general cargo ship, of some 5,000 tonnage.
Jan 19 UPDATE: The ship was boarded by Marine Patrol team and identified as cargo ship HM FOUNDATION, IMO 9012379, dwt 7408, built 1991, flag Philippines, last known (EQUASIS) owner/manager HUA MING SHIPPING GROUP INC, Philippines. Last AIS positions dated Dec 31 2020, Sulu sea.
