MV Microstep

Reports from Underwater Surveys conducted by Pacific Towing and Conservation & Environment Protection Agency (CEPA) on request of NMSA, confirmed the damage made to the coral reef at Kui Island during the grounding of the vessel, MV Microstep.

The vessel was fined for breaching Section 42 & 43 Maritime Zones Act and for not reporting incident to NMSA. 

On May 3, the 23 year-old bulk carrier vessel with cargo of logs went aground in China Strait passage.

To refloat the ship, the owner, Feng Sea Shipping, engaged the tug with barge from the log pond to offload the logs cargo from the deck using the ship's cranes. On May 4, NMSA had carried out an inspection in accordance with Port State Control procedure.

However, no detainable deficiencies were identified. The ship however, was detained for grounding, leading to damage to coral reef and not reporting the incident to the NMSA.