The container ship CSL Santa Maria narrowly avoided a grounding on the Japanese island of Okinoshima last weekend.
As the Japan Coast Guard informed, CSL Santa Maria was under way from the U.S. to China with a cargo of empty containers, losing power in heavy weather to the northwest of Okonoshima.
AIS data provided by Pole Star indicates that the ship lost speed on January 31 as it passed by the island, and it began to drift in a southeasterly direction, driven by strong winds.
By the morning of February 1, the ship was less than four nautical miles off the coast, with the Japan Coast Guard reporting that it came within 800 meters of shore.
A cutter was deployed to the scene to attempt a tow, however conditions were rough and the initial attempt was not successful.
As of February 2, the ship was under way once more under tow, making three knots and headed west.
