Trawler Sinks After Collision with Ocean Liner, Crew Rescued
GULF OF THAILAND – All nine crew members of a fishing trawler were rescued after their vessel sank following a collision with an ocean liner in the early hours of Sunday morning off Thailand’s southern coast.
Emergency Alert and Rescue Operation
The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (TMECC) was alerted by the trawler’s owner, Vor Sapchanon, after receiving a distress call from one of the crew members via satellite phone around 2:00 A.M. The crew reported that their vessel had collided with a large passenger ship and was rapidly sinking.
At the time of the incident, the trawler was located 70-80 nautical miles off the Songkhla-Nakhon Si Thammarat coastline.
Crew and Search Mission
The vessel carried nine crew members, consisting of:
- Three Thai nationals
- Three Cambodian nationals
- Three Myanmar nationals
- Captain Theerawat Thaomoi
Upon receiving the distress call, Vice Admiral Nares Wongtrakul, commander of the 2nd Naval Area, ordered an immediate search-and-rescue operation.
By 10:00 A.M., a navy helicopter successfully rescued all nine crew members from the sea. They were transported safely to the naval base in Songkhla for medical checks and further assistance.
Unanswered Questions About the Collision
The trawler, which had departed from Songkhla on Saturday, sank completely following the impact. However, details about the ocean liner involved remain unclear. Authorities have yet to confirm:
- The name of the ship
- Whether it sustained any damage
- Whether its crew was even aware of the collision
Officials are expected to investigate further to determine how the accident occurred and if the liner continued its journey without reporting the incident.
