A Chinese bulker was reported in danger of sinking off Japan after its crew were evacuated.
The Japanese Coast Guard said the 23,400-dwt Yong Feng (built 1984) suffered water ingress 760 km (472 miles) south-east of Miyakojima, Okinawa, in the early hours of Wednesday.
"There is a risk of sinking due to flooding," the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters said, according to Kyodo News.
The coastguard launched a rescue operation and confirmed all 22 crew were safe.
They were evacuated to a lifeboat, while a coastguard patrol boat headed to the scene.
A "medium-scale" marine accident response was established, the coastguard added.
The crew comprises 14 Chinese and eight Bangladeshis.
Timber load
The Panama-flagged Yong Feng was carrying timber from Papua New Guinea to China.
The last AIS update showed the ship underway in the Coral Sea on 1 January.
The vessel is operated by Dalian Chain Star Ship Management, which could not be contacted for comment.
In April 2019, the bulker was detained in Taizhou, China, with 11 deficiencies.
Grounds for detention included faults with water level detectors, lifeboats and its voyage data recorder.
VesselsValue estimates the ship is worth $2.2m.
