The 54-ft. long and 45-ft. wide Princess Taiping was built in China for a year based on the design of a Chinese junk during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties about 600 years ago.
The Taiwanese media reported that authorities rescued 11 people, including the two injured victims, Lars Stewart and John Hunter, around 3:40 a.m. Sunday.
Initial investigation showed an unidentified cargo ship, possibly of foreign origin, hit Princess Taiping.
The Chinese junk replica is supposed to be displayed in a museum in Taiwan after its successful voyage to California, Hawaii, China, Saipan and Japan.
All crew members fell into the water and were rescued by Coast Guard vessels.
Their boat came from Okinawa, Japan and sailed for weeks before arriving on Taiwan.
Princess Taiping, which means peace in Chinese, stayed for a week on Saipan last month and inspired the local community about ancient Chinese maritime techniques and the group’s quest to set a world record sailing.
Led by Capt. Nelson Liu and his assistant Angela Chao, both Taiwanese nationals, the boat had volunteer crew members from China and the United States.
