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Ship Sailing Under Panama Flag Runs Aground in Northern Japan, Oil Leaking

Reuters

   TOKYO - A Panamanian-registered ship ran aground in a northern Japanese
   harbor and was leaking oil, but there were no injuries among the 21
   crew and the oil leak was being controlled with no signs it had reached
   shore, the Japan Coast Guard said.

   The 39,910-tonne vessel, the Crimson Polaris, was carrying wood chips
   when it ran aground on Wednesday morning in Hachinohe harbor. It
   managed to free itself, but due to poor weather was unable to move far
   and ended up anchoring about 4 kilometers out from the port.

   A crack developed in the hull and oil began leaking, with a slick 5.1
   kilometers long by 1 kilometers wide visible by Thursday morning, the
   Coast Guard said, adding that containment measures were being taken by
   patrol boats.

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