“Money doesn’t come from the wind, but this ship really did!” Recently, multiple netizens posted that after Typhoon “Matmo” made landfall directly in Zhanjiang on October 5th, an old ship was blown onto the eastern coast of Tiaoshun Island in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, becoming a popular internet check-in spot.
Related videos show a rust-covered ship tilted and stranded by the seaside, with many citizens and tourists taking photos and playing near it.
Some netizens joked that Zhanjiang now has its own “Bruwus” (In September 2022, the Panamanian cargo ship “Bruwus” ran aground in Weihai waters due to a typhoon, becoming a famous cargo ship).
Other netizens called on Zhanjiang’s cultural and tourism department to catch the “traffic” blown in by the wind.
On the 10th, reporters learned from the Tiaoshun Sub-district Office of Chikan District that a ship was indeed blown ashore by the typhoon. Relevant staff from the Zhanjiang Chikan District Natural Resources Bureau stated that this ship has an owner and might be towed away soon.
On October 5th, the center of Typhoon “Matmo”, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall on the eastern coast of Xuwen County, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, at strong typhoon intensity, with maximum winds near the center reaching Force 14 (42 m/s, strong typhoon level) upon landfall. After the typhoon, many local netizens posted videos claiming a ship had run aground near Tiaoshun Island’s coast and quickly became a popular check-in point. Many netizens quipped that the typhoon delivered a Zhanjiang version of the “Bruwus” to boost local cultural tourism! Others reminded, “Checking in has risks, don’t get too close.” Some were also curious about the ship’s origin and subsequent handling.
On the morning of the 10th, a reporter called the Tiaoshun Sub-district Office in Chikan District. A staff member confirmed that a ship was indeed blown ashore by the typhoon and stranded near the OCT (Overseas Chinese Town) area on Tiaoshun Island. However, the staff member said they were unaware of the ship’s origin.
Regarding the stranded ship becoming Zhanjiang’s new popular check-in point, a reporter contacted the Zhanjiang Chikan District Culture, Tourism, and Sports Bureau. A staff member stated that while Tiaoshun Island itself is undergoing tourism development, things blown in by the typhoon are not under their jurisdiction. They likely wouldn’t develop plans specifically for this ship as they haven’t focused on its specific situation. There are no immediate plans, but they will monitor online information.
The reporter then called the Zhanjiang Chikan District Natural Resources Bureau. According to staff from the Marine Resources Management section, the ship was blown ashore by the typhoon on October 5th. It is not listed in the district’s fishing vessel registry, so its type (fishing vessel or other) is unknown.
However, the section learned that the ship has a rights holder (owner), who might arrange for a tugboat to move it when the tide is higher. Relevant staff also mentioned that taking photos and checking in is currently unaffected, but the stranded ship situation has been reported and will likely be handled soon. They advised that making a special trip just for photos and check-in is unnecessary.
Separately, according to a Red Star News report on October 9th, the manager of the company owning the stranded ship stated the vessel is worth over 10 million yuan. It was moored in a shelter before the typhoon, but its anchor lines broke due to the typhoon, causing it to be blown ashore. It will be towed away at an appropriate time later.
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