A Taiwanese fishing vessel has run aground on the remote Beveridge Reef, which lies about 125 nautical miles south east of Niue in the South Pacific.

Published 2 years ago

Source: TVNZ

According to reports in New Zealand media, a rescue operation involving the Royal New Zealand Air Force took place last week to save the 11 crew on board the fishing vessel, the FV Chuan I Shin.

Beveridge Reef is part of Niue’s marine protected area (MPA), called Moana Mahu Marine Park, and is en-route for cruising boats from Niue to Cook Islands.

The Niuean Government said the priority was to rescue and save the lives of everyone on board and was working closely with New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre.

Niue’s Met Office said weather conditions in the Beveridge Reef area at the time of the incident were fine with clear skies and a swell of 2.5 metres.

The crew were rescued by a sister ship of the FV Chuan I Shin.  The RNZAF conducted a reconnaissance flight and reported that a fire followed the removal of the crew, leaving the vessel burnt out.

It is unknown when the wreck will be removed, however for now it’s a useful reef marker for transiting yachts.

Editor’s Note:  Beveridge Reef is “known” about by cruisers, but not many go there as it can only be entered in calm conditions. Cruisers report that it is a totally surreal experience being at anchor in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight.  However, the location is not well charted  – see the Noonsite report below

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Related News:

Government of Niue Media Release

Niue Tight Lipped But Concerned over Grounded Taiwanese Ship (Radio New Zealand)

British Family Rescued from Remote Reef (Noonsite 2017)

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Related Reports:

Beveridge Reef:  Between the Cook Islands and Niue

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.