On January 24, 2025, at approximately 2316 hours, the Belize-registered cargo ship WEI SEN No. 8 (IMO No. 1085679, gross tonnage 1,624) ran aground 1.9 nautical miles off the coast of Beigan, Lianjiang County. The master issued an abandon-ship order and called for assistance. During the rescue operation, he fell into the sea and lost his life, while the remaining seven crew members were safely rescued. The occurrence resulted in the master's death, as well as the ship taking on water and eventually sinking.

The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) classified the event as a major marine occurrence 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 on the progress of the occurrence investigation will be published on the TTSB website.

Ya-Ting Chang, Secretariat Office

Tel: +886-2-7727-6210

E-mail: yating@ttsb.gov.tw

Michael GUAN, Deputy Chief Investigator

Marine Occurrence Investigation Division

Tel: +886-2-7727-6202

E-mail: michael@ttsb.gov.tw