Salvage operations hampered by stormy weather

Salvage operations of the "Sagan" have been hampered by rough weather, while oil continued to flow from the damaged hull at the grounding site on Suwanosejima island in the East China Sea. The ship was en route from Taiwan to Japan with a cargo of fuel when it was swept on to rocks in the Nakanoshima Channel by strong winds and heavy seas. The cargo tanks were breached and fuel began leaking. The crew of 18 was airlifted by Japanese Coast Guard helicopter. Meanwhile the oil leak was growing around the tanker, which was operated by Ocean Grow International Shipmanagement. Japanese authorities were monitoring the wreck and oil leak and commenced an investigation into the cause of the accident.