Stricken Iranian oil tanker drifts into Japan's economic zone

I think allowing oil drilling off American state coasts is a great idea. Except for Florida, because it has 29 electoral votes and a Republican governor.

Talk of this burning for a month. The Chinese authorities reckon it is safer to let as much of the fuel to burn off as possible rather than any other option, as long as she stays afloat.  Soon they will be pulling out and the Japanese authorities will have to start making decisions. It would not look good spilling light oil (cargo) or heavy oil (ship's fuel) around the beautiful coastlines of Amami Oshima. The recovered body was wearing a thermal protection body suit apparently, so at least one member of the crew must have jumped. Let us hope Mother Nature at least can deal with this horrible man-made mess.

What happed to the so called American grain ship?

What happed to the so called American grain ship?

Are you referring to the ship as being American or the grain?

The Hong Kong registered ship, carrying American grain, had its Chinese crew rescued and was apparently in no danger of sinking. Must have a dented bow, though...

I hope that they get the fire under control and stop an environment disaster from happening.

Goodluck, there is a photo of the damage to the bow of the ship carrying American grain here; notice the NO SMOKING sign! I guess the two struck sparks off each other....

https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/huge-oil-tanker-ablaze-off-china/

Japan continues to open their financial coffers to buy from the Iran regime. Would hope Tokyo can decrease this dependence from Tehran.

The davits are still up...the boats have burnt away. 

A stark reminder of the perils of the seas, even in today's times. hope the lessons learned in this accident will help us strengthen our barriers against such calamities. RIP 32 brothers at sea!

There is talk among the Iranians of the crew maybe safe 14 meters below the sea surface in the engine room, but would it be truly isolated there from the main fire?

nandakandamanda, Thanks for the link.

By the look of the damage on the CF Crystal's bow, she hit at speed.

It really makes you wonder with all of the technology available now, how this happens.

I sail in Japanese waters with none of the gear that these ships have, so I have to keep my eyes open.

Am guessing the chinese pushed across the line to get someone else to foot the clean up bill!

hudagreeToday 08:27 pm JST

Japan continues to open their financial coffers to buy from the Iran regime. Would hope Tokyo can decrease this dependence from Tehran.

Wrong country. The M/T Sanchi is an Iranian tanker carrying cargo with destination South Korea.

South Korea, if that was your oil, STOP buying from a dictator!! There is plenty of free world oil to buy without supporting dictators.

@GyGene

South Korea, if that was your oil, STOP buying from a dictator!! 

LOL, Japan buys more oil from Iran than Korea does.

Japan continues to open their financial coffers to buy from the Iran regime. Would hope Tokyo can decrease this dependence from Tehran.

Why? What has Iran ever done to you?

I pray for the sailors aboard the MV Sanchi, that they will be found alive and unharmed.

Why doesn't the Navy sink the ship - I'm sure the Navy guys would love to have a real ship to use as target practice.

@Andrew, have you ever thought or considered the environmental implications? like what would happen the oil, the marine life, whales, dolphins , let alown the millions of invertebrates that are, and are part of the food chain. the best way forward would be to put out the fire, make it secure so no more oil spills, and then tow it to a ship yard for repair. even when the navy sink an old ship it has to be stripped of a lot off harmful items like the electrical cables, asbestos, toxins, oil, lubricants, some types of paint, I will agree with you that some ships when sunk can provide a home for lots of fish and other living organisms, but not when its full of crude oil.