(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-17 06:36

BEIJING -- A Panama-registered cargo vessel "Chang Tong" collided into a Germany-registered container vessel "Hanjin Gothen Burg" in China's Bohai Sea on Saturday with no casualties reported so far, the China Marine Rescue Center said on Sunday.

The accident happened at about 7:40 pm on Saturday at 41 sea miles north of Chinese city Yantai of Shandong Province, when the bow of the 274-meter-long German vessel cut into the fourth cabin of the larboard of the 182-meter-long "Chang Tong", and water ran into several cabins of the Panama vessel.

The two vessels were kept in such conditions with one inserted into the other to reduce water flowing into the cabins, and all the crew members on board, 26 on "Chang Tong" and 22 on "Hanjin Gothen Burg" were safe, said an official named Zhai Jiugang with the Center.

The first rescue vessel arrived at the scene about three hours later, and two vessels are currently at the site for the rescue operation.

A rescue helicopter was patrolling the scene to monitor water pollution nearby.

The rescue center said it planned to move the two vessels to shallow waters before separating them from each other.

Two specialized salvage vessels are expected to arrive at the scene at midnight Sunday to move the two vessels.

The rescue center has repeatedly warned vessels nearby to stay clear of the accident area.

Chinese officials in charge of maritime official have arrived at the scene to investigate the cause of the accident.