BEIJING - The navy frigate that ran aground in the waters of China's Nansha Islands has successfully refloated with the assistance of a rescue force, an official release said Sunday.

The frigate stranded in the waters around the Banyue Shoal of Nansha Islands managed to refloat on its own at around 5 am Sunday with the assistance of the Chinese navy's rescue force, a news release posted on the website of the country's Defense Ministry said.

The fore body of the ship was slightly injured, all staffs were safe and the ship will be on a return voyage, according to the statement.

"It has not caused any contamination for the nearby waters," the statement said.

The ministry said Friday the ship ran aground when conducting routine patrol mission at about 7:00 pm Wednesday.