The tuna fishing boat Fuku Maru No 7 was wrecked on Middleton Reef just on dusk after two huge waves picked up the vessel and dumped it on the reef. The vessel put out a radio call for help which was received by the tuna boat Dai Maru and Katu Maru No 16. The 26 wrecked crew members abandoned ship and swam through schools of curious sharks to a rowboat from the rescuing vessel. They were taken by the Dai Maru, to Brisbane.
The wreck of Fuku Maru lies high and dry in very poor condition after having been burnt out. It was used as a food cache and possible shelter for many years. It is located at about "4 o'clock" on the outer reef (Encyclopaedia of Australia Shipwrecks).
