Rescue of Wan Hai 176

It was a successful and safe conclusion for the Wan Hai 176, a 564-foot container ship which lost power after departing San Francisco Bay on April 8.

The ship was 12 miles off the California coastline when it went adrift, and with rough weather hampering efforts to rescue the ship, it was finally able to set its anchor seven miles off the coast of Point Reyes, a headland 30 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

More favorable weather conditions arrived April 10 when the Delta Deanna, a 112-foot tug, was able to pass tow lines to the Wan Hai 176’s crew at its anchored location. Once the lines and anchors were secured, the tug began towing the ship with the tugs Stacey Foss, Delta Billie, Delta Deanna, and Rachel Allen escorting the ship to an anchorage that evening in San Francisco Bay.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of San Francisco has ordered the ship to remain at the anchorage until the ship’s engines have been fixed and Coast Guard personnel have conducted an inspection of the ship. Once the Captain of the Port order is removed, the ship is scheduled to be escorted out of the San Francisco Bay with tugs.

“This hazardous situation was successfully resolved through proactive collaboration, seamless communication and deliberate risk assessment provided by our local, state, federal and industry partners,” said Unified Command representatives.

The Wan Hai 176, a Singapore-flagged vessel with 21 people on board, was carrying miscellaneous material in 783 containers and has no reported hazardous materials. There are no reports of injuries and the crew is safe.