On April 26, at 0045 hours, a Taiwan registered general cargo vessel "Da Fa No. 1",Gross Tonnage 331, Ship’s number 013553, collided the Liberian registered oil tanker "LIA", Gross Tonnage 42010, IMO number 9417751, at 16.2 miles southeast of Fugang Fishing Port, Taitung. After the collision, sea water flooded into "Da Fa No. 1" and a distress signal was emitted. The vessel "Da Fa No. 1" sank at 0140 hours. The on board 9 persons were all safely rescued by patrolled Coast Guard.

The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board（TTSB）identified that this event was a very serious marine casualty per the Transportation Occurrence Investigation Act and referencing to the Casualty Investigation Code of the International Maritime Organization（IMO）.The Investigator-In-Charge was assigned, and an investigation team was launched to conduct the investigation.

Further information and progress of the occurrence investigation will be published on the TTSB website.

Vivi Yang, Secretariat Office
Tel: +886-2-7727-6217
E-mail: viviy2314@ttsb.gov.tw