A freighter may have sunk in a whirlpool last week, dragging down as many as 27 crew members within five minutes after the ship was struck by a giant wave off Taiwan.
The eddy between currents about 35 nautical miles east of Taiwan's northern tip is suspected of sinking the ship, which was carrying iron ore and an Indonesian crew of 28.
One crew member was found alive, clinging to his life vest, a day after the freighter went down last Tuesday. "A whirlpool effect is possible," said Taiwan Coast Guard spokesman after hearing the survivor's account.
Typhoon Mitag generated stormy seas east of Taiwan last week after killing about 19 in the Philippines.
Although the coast guard normally calls off searches within 72 hours, it has extended its hunt for the ship to a seventh day, using 12 boats and a helicopter.
go
Full Version: Whirlpool may have sucked down freighter
That had to one heck of a whirlpool to sink a freighter!
your telling me.. although if there are a few currents merging in the one spot, its possible for the boat to go down or be in big trouble.. there a spot where we take our boat thru under a bridge where a couple of currents merge together. it can get pretty hairy trying to steer the boat straight
i think it was a giant squid
i think it was a giant squid
That is unbelievable....I thought a whirlpool was supposed to be relaxing........ 
Terrifying stuff. It's enough to put anyone off venturing anywhere near those hazardous ocean regions. A while ago, there was a marvellous television programme all about whirlpools. Apparently one of the most hazardous and famous is just off the coast of Scotland. A submerged rock formation with an "hourglass" shape results in a severe whirlpool effect, with a terrifying underwater current. Sub-aqua divers ventured below to check it out, and it was one of the most dangerous underwater exploits I've ever seen!
QUOTE (One Message for Man @ Dec 9 2007, 05:56 PM) 
Terrifying stuff. It's enough to put anyone off venturing anywhere near those hazardous ocean regions. A while ago, there was a marvellous television programme all about whirlpools. Apparently one of the most hazardous and famous is just off the coast of Scotland. A submerged rock formation with an "hourglass" shape results in a severe whirlpool effect, with a terrifying underwater current. Sub-aqua divers ventured below to check it out, and it was one of the most dangerous underwater exploits I've ever seen!
i saw that show too. it was awsome. there was a river they went to also that was famous for whirlpools. they towed a boat out behind another boat & cut it loose. the whirlpool sucked it down with the quickness. did you see it???
They did something on this on Mythbusters and busted it.
QUOTE (chaoszerg @ Dec 13 2007, 08:42 AM)
They did something on this on Mythbusters and busted it.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5...h&plindex=0
I still wouldn't want to experience a whirlpool first hand though. Yike's
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.