Wan Li 8, https://www.marinetraffic.com
Heng Run, https://www.marinetraffic.com
The two cargo ships, identified as the 4,071 dwt Wan Li 8 and the 5,287 dwt Heng Run, collided shortly after midnight local time.
The 2008-built Heng Run reportedly sank several minutes after the collision.
Zhoushan Maritime Bureau dispatched three rescue boats to aid the crew of the sunken ship, which reportedly carried a crew of 12 at the time of the collision.
The crew of the Wan Li 8 reportedly lowered their lifeboats for the crew of the Heng Run.
Zhoushan Maritime Bureau also requested assistance from the Chinese navy, as well as the passing commercial ships and the local fishing fleet.
The search efforts were reportedly hampered by the typhoon Chan-Hom.
The rescue crews reached the scene at around 1:45 am, local time. The coast guard teams rescued seven men from the water, while the navy rescued five. One crewman managed to save himself by swimming to a nearby island.
The Heng Run was en route from Vietnam to South Korea, carrying 5,000 tons of ore. The Wan Li 8, with a crew of 16, was sailing from Zhangjiagang, China, to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, laden with 3,700 tons of steel.
The rescue crews are still searching for the missing crewman. Given the fact that 13 men were rescued, one man died, and one is missing, it is probable that three of the crewmen aboard the Wan Li 8 fell overboard after the collision.
The reports are unclear as to which of the crews the deceased and the missing man belonged.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: Shipspotting