by Ronna Sweeney, KUAM News Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Subscribe to Ronna's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

KUAM Video requires Flash 8. download it Here.

A wooden ship still remains stranded on the reef between the waters off Urunao and Tanguisson. Local and federal officials spent the day combing through the jungle for suspected illegal aliens, and so far at least eight people thought to have jumped ship have been apprehended. U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Marcus Hirschberg says Sector Guam first got the call of a vessel stranded on the reef near Urunao around 7:30 this morning, describing it as being as long as 60', adding that life vests had been located nearby on the beach.

That discovery prompted both local and federal officials to launch a manhunt for suspected illegal immigrants. As far as the vessel is concerned, Coast Guard OS1 Jeff Roberto says precautions are being taken to make sure any fuel leakage is detected, telling KUAM News, "At this time I haven't gotten any reports on the amount of fuel. The initial call indicated there was a sheen this morning."

Roberto notes that units from multiple agencies were dispatched by air, by sea and by land with Coast Guard Sector Guam's primary role being protection of life. As of this afternoon, because of the boat's precarious position, authorities had yet to get on board. "We currently have contractors on site," Roberto added. "They're doing a site assessment to figure out if there's any fuel left on board prior to trying to figure out how to get it off of the reef."

At this time, the vessel is said to be from Taiwan. As for what will happen to the wreckage. Roberto says no definite plans have been determined just yet, speculating, "Depending on the condition of the vessel, if the vessel is able to be re-floated, we'll probably take it to a safe haven for further investigation."

So far, according to Guam Police Department spokesman Officer Allan Guzman eight people of Asian descent have been taken into custody. Crews spent the afternoon combing the steep jungle terrain near NCTAMS in Dededo in search of possibly five more suspected illegal aliens.