10 Crewmen Rescued After Storm Sinks Containership

The crew of a Cambodian-flagged containership were rescued this morning (July 8) after the ship sank off Phuket, Thailand.

The 1,591 dwt Sinaran Andaman reported engine failure and was unable anchor. It also suffered a loss of power, which disabled the vessel’s communication equipment. Strong monsoon waves drove the stranded vessel onto rocks at Koh Hae Island, where it sank around 10 am local time. The 10 crewmen were able to launch the ship’s lifeboat and used flares to alert passing ships.

The Royal Thai Navy got onscene and rescued three crewmembers by helicopter and the Marine Police recovered the other seven survivors. The many of the ship’s containers were tossed into surrounding rocks and  shoreline as heavy waves washed over the deck of the capsized ship.

It is monsoon season in the region, and a fishing boat and barge have also sank in the same area. While all members of the fishing boat were recovered by the navy, search efforts continue for six crewmen that were onboard the sunken barge.

Local authorities have prohibited small vessels from sailing in the vicinity of Phuket as waves from six to thirteen feet are expected to continue to pound the area for the rest of the week.