The ship had run aground on Pigeon Island, about 12 miles from Trinconmalee.
Two such places can be found on the way to Pigeon Island.
Offshore lies Pigeon Island, once renowned for its coral reef.
Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963.
Pigeon Island is one of the several protected areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
Pigeon Island is one of a small number of islands given over almost entirely to the last of these.
Long and narrow, Pigeon Island lies about 1.5 km further northwest.
It is slightly smaller and much flatter than its more popular neighbour Pigeon Island.
They settled on Pigeon Island in the Solomons, running a trading business.
Glass-bottom boats are used for snorkeling trips to Pigeon Island.