NYK-Operated Vessel Rescues Castaway

October 21, 2009

On October 14, Hokuetsu Bright, an NYK-operated wood-chip carrier, rescued a Chinese fisherman in the Gulf of Tonkin. While the vessel was sailing from Coos Bay, Oregon, to Fangcheng, China, a man was discovered at about 9 a.m. holding a small, wooden piece of his boat. The NYK vessel immediately began rescue procedures, and 35 minutes later, the man was brought aboard using a life buoy and the pilot ladder.

The rescued fisherman was Chinese and had been out fishing with six others when Typhoon Parma caused their fishing boat to tip over as midnight neared on October 12. Seven fishermen from another boat were also tossed into the sea, and only five of the 13 have since been found.

The rescued fisherman is in good health despite of couple of scrapes on his body, and disembarked from Hokuetsu Bright at Fangcheng at 7 p.m. on October 15.

About Hokuetsu Bright
Captain: Danilo Abejero Navarrete
Flag of registry: Panama
Crew: 24 Filipinos
Gross Tonnage: 40,252 tons
Type of vessel: Wood-chip carrier

NYK Line