POHNPEI, Micronesia (12 June 2007) -- The Thorfinn scuba diving liveaboard ran aground yesterday off Pohnpei and is leaking fuel oil into the sea. The 58-meter (170-ft) liveaboard ran aground as it departed Pohnpei during the first leg of its annually scheduled Pan Micro cruise which visits many small islands in Micronesia between Chuuk and Yap. When the vessel grounded, it suffered hull damage and the engine room and other below deck compartments flooded. Authorities said it is almost certain that Thorfinn inflicted significant damage to the reef when it grounded and further damage could result from oil that has started spilling into the sea. One of the primary objectives of Thorfinn's annual Pan Micro cruise is to help Pohnpei and other islands to recycle used oil that has accumulated during the previous 12 months. Thorfinn was leaving Pohnpei when it ran aground and could contain more than 70,000 gallons of oil. Although the typhoon season has started in Micronesia, the weather is fairly calm and currently there are no storm warnings for the Pohnpei area. | 
