Two Seafarers Die in Enclosed Space Incident at Guanzhouwei Anchorage

On 19 Jun 2026, two seafarers died in an enclosed space accident aboard a bulk carrier anchored at Guanzhouwei Anchorage, Yichang, Hubei. The vessel, registered in Zhumadian, Henan Province, is 105.0 meters long with a gross tonnage of 3,298 and was carrying 4,800 tonnes of soybeans en route from Rugao, Jiangsu to Fuling, Chongqing. Seafarer Yang entered a cofferdam between the cargo hold and wheelhouse and lost consciousness. Seafarer Yao, from a nearby anchored bulk carrier, attempted a rescue but also collapsed. Both were evacuated to a shore hospital but were pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts failed. The incident highlights the dangers of enclosed space entry on vessels.