A Chinese-owned cargo ship is aground off Tannerbhavi beach near Mangalore on the Indian west coast. The Cheng Le Men was carrying 16100 tonnes of iron ore fines from New Mangalore when it began listing seven n-miles from the port yesterday. Captain Yang Jing Mu tried to bring the St Vincent-registered ship back to port, but it ran aground some two n-miles off the coast. Responding to a distress call, New Mangalore port authorities sent two tugs to pull the ship into deeper waters. According to the captain the ship is safe despite its 30-degree list. Its engines are working and it is unlikely to capsize, while tugs are continuing to pull it further from shore. Port Chairman Tamilvanan explained: “Heavy rains led to ore getting drenched on one side, forcing the ship to tilt while sailing. They have now pumped out rain water, and have made the ship straight. We are monitoring the scene." Cheng Le Men arrived from Dubai on September 1 and was bound for China via Singapore. According to police superintendent Satish Kumar the ship has 28 crew members on board including the captain, all of whom are refusing to abandon the ship unless it starts sinking. Apart from the iron slurry, the ship is also carrying huge volume of oil and diesel for its voyage to China.
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