MV Secil Japan

History
Japan
Name	MV Secil Japan
Owner	Eternal Line S. A., Panama City
Builder	Imai Seisakusho Co. Ltd, Iwagi
Yard number	222
In service	1982
Out of service	1989
Identification	IMO number: 8210091
Fate	Ran aground
General characteristics
Tonnage	2625 gross tons
Length	90.5 metres
Height	15.2 metres
Draught	7.6 metres
Speed	11 knots
Crew	16

MV Secil Japan was a Panamanian cargo ship that was built in Japan and launched in 1982. She was wrecked on 12 March 1989 at Hell's Mouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Today little of the ship survives, although some remains can be seen at low tide.

Loss

Having made calls at Aveiro and Leixões, Portugal, Secil Japan was bound for Liverpool carrying timber. While passing the north coast of Cornwall in strong gales, the ship's cargo shifted and an attempt was made to make refuge at Godrevy Point. However, when the anchor was unable to hold and the engines failed to start, Secil Japan was pushed towards Hell's Mouth.

A Royal Navy SAR helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and a SAR helicopter from RAF Brawdy were called out to assist, with the latter arriving at 00:30am on 13 March, by which time the ship was aground, with waves submerging and breaking over it. Of the sixteen crew members, who had all sought refuge in the wheelhouse, fifteen were successfully winched to safety. One fatality occurred when the crew member slipped from the strop while being winched and was drowned. The ship soon broke into three, while the crews of both rescue helicopters were later awarded the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award by the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society for their bravery and efforts.