Qixingyan (七星岩), off the coast of Pingtung County, Taiwan, in the Bashi Channel is composed of seven coral reefs. At low tide seven reefs are visible. At high tide, only two reefs are visible. Qinxingyan is arranged in a shape similar to the Big Dipper, hence the name Seven Star Reef. It is located approximately 8 nautical miles from the Southernmost point of Taiwan, Oluanpi. Due to strong currents and shoals in the area, many ships were wrecked and lives lost in the early to mid-19th century after the Qing court opened trade between the West and China. Notable shipwrecks include the 1867 U.S. merchant vessel Rover which resulted in the Rover incident and the 1871 Japanese merchant vessel Ryukyu which resulted in the Mudan incident.[1]