Initial report of a major marine occurrence: Collision of Taiwan flag tugboat "TIPM NO.13302" and ro-ro passenger ship "NEW TAI MA"
On 25th August 2023, at about 0956 local time, a Taiwan flag tugboat, TIPM No. 13302 (Official No. 012336), collided with a Taiwan flag ro-ro passenger ship, NEW TAI MA (IMO No. 9939709), while the TIPM No. 13302 assisted the NEW TAI MA during outbound operation in Fuao port, Lienchiang County. The occurrence caused the TIPM No. 13302 portside flooded, and then sank.
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board （TTSB） classified this event as a very serious marine casualty per the Transportation Occurrence Investigation Act and referenced 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 the 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
Willis Chen, Marine Occurrence Investigation Division
Tel: +886-2-7727-6246
E-mail: willis@ttsb.gov.tw
