The Omega, a Marshall Islands-registered vessel weighing 48,800 tons and built in 2004, reportedly collided with the Mirabella, a Cook Islands-registered ship weighing 46,000 tons and built in 1997, about 16 nautical miles north of the Yangtze River estuary, according to WK Webster.
Both ships have experienced water ingress as a result of the collision. The Omega, loaded with 47,000 tons of steel billets, is in danger of sinking due to damages to its number five cargo hold.
The Mirabella, carrying nearly 45,000 tons of iron ore from Tuticorin, India, to Taicang, China, has also suffered damage and partial flooding. Fortunately, all crew members on both vessels are reported to be safe.
The Mirabella is managed by Safe Sea Services in Lebanon, while the Omega is under the management of Turkish firm Gamma Shipping. According to the Donghai Rescue Bureau, its teams successfully prevented the Turkish bulker from drifting in extreme winds and rough waves. Although the Mirabella sustained damage and partial flooding, it was able to anchor safely following the incident.
Authorities have reported that all 21 crew members on the Omega were rescued after abandoning the vessel.
