MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Twelve Taiwanese crew members abandon ship in Falklands

The Royal Falkland Islands Police is investigating the case of twelve crew members who abandoned a Taiwanese flagged fishing vessel anchored in Stanley Harbour.

The two phase maritime incident according to a release from the Royal Falkland Islands Police begun Monday evening, 17:00 hours when a report was received from the Falkland Islands Company Limited Shipping Agency that ten crewmen had jumped over the side of the Jih Da Gan, a fishing vessel at anchor in Stanley Harbour, in a bid to reach the north shore. "FIC launches were in the area very quickly and eight of the crewmen were found and taken to the East Jetty where they were transferred to KEMH hospital", indicates the release. A further search was commenced with the Fire & Rescue Service and the FI Defence Force being deployed to the Camber area. Launch crews carried out a detailed and concentrated search of the water, beaches and the country side, while a rescue helicopter joined the task covering the entire area including an infrared search. At 23:00 hours the search was called off. The eight survivors spent the night in KEMH and were provided with clothes and toiletries by the Seaman's Mission. The survivors are being interviewed as part of an investigation by the Royal Falkland Islands Police into the incident. But early Tuesday morning it was reported that two further crewmen left the vessel belonging to the Wa Da Fichery Co Ltd. Meantime efforts continue to locate the two missing persons who are believed to have perished, concludes the release singed by Inspector Len S McGill.