Disabled oil tanker drifting towards Philippines

A crude oil tanker that lost power after an engine room fire near Orchid Island, Taiwan, yesterday, December 8, has drifted towards the Philippines northernmost island of Mavulis, according to reports this evening, December 9.

See previous story: Coast Guard dispatches helicopter, patrol boats after oil tanker catches fire off Taiwan’s east coast

United Daily News reported this afternoon, that the 58,446 ton, Liberian-registered MARQUESSA remained adrift, after poor weather prevented a tug leaving the port of Kaohsiung earlier today.

Later this evening, ET Today reported that the MARQUESSA had drifted to the vicinity of Mavulis (Y’Ami) Island.

As of Wednesday evening, the Philippines Coastguard had not dispatched search and rescue personnel, and the ship was being shadowed by a Taiwan Coast Guard patrol boat.

ET Today also reported that the tugboat SALVAGE CHAMPION is en route from the Port of Kaohsiung, and due to arrive at the location at around midnight.

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