COMOROS-flag tanker Colombo Queen has grounded on a reef close to the environmentally sensitive Jialeshuei coastal park in Taiwan, in conditions that included strong winds and high seas whipped up by approaching tropical storm Linfa, the local Lloyd’s agent reports. Taiwanese rescue services said the ship — thought to be laden with 39,000 litres of fuel oil and with a crew of nine on board — sent out distress signals at about 2045 hrs on Saturday night. Subsequently the vessel was blown towards the shore and the engine finally gave out. The crew abandoned ship and were later recovered from a lifeboat. Operations to remove the oil are expected to take about a week, with high waves reportedly impeding attempts to commence the work. Colombo Queen — year of build, deadweight and ownership details unknown, but according to Lloyd’s MIU of 498 gt — was en route to Hiroshima from Sri Lanka.