John Westbrook
OGJ Correspondent
TAIPEI, May 19 -- All 13 crew members on the Bolivia-registered Lucky Star tanker were rescued by the Taiwan Coast Guard during Typhoon Chanchu May 17 just before the vessel ran aground near Kaohsiung.
The 1,685-ton vessel radioed for assistance shortly after 6:45 a.m., and two Coast Guard vessels were dispatched immediately. Because heavy seas prevented their approach and the vessel appeared in danger of capsizing, the Coast Guard evacuated the crew by helicopter in a mission lasting nearly an hour. The tanker subsequently was driven ashore.
Officials said the chances of a significant oil spill are remote because the Lucky Star was nearly empty at the time of the incident. They added, however, that the vessel will be closely monitored until salvage operations are completed.
