Cargo Ship Sinks in Dangerous Weather, Nine Crew Members Rescued Just in Time

At 3:15 a.m. on December 17, 2023, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre received a distress call regarding the cargo vessel Gia Bao 19. This vessel, weighing 1,917 tons and measuring 69.9 meters in length and 10.8 meters in width, is owned by Hai Ngoc Maritime Company based in Diem Dien, Thai Thuy, Thai Binh. The Gia Bao 19, which was carrying 1,800 tons of coal from Gia Duc, Hai Phong, to Dong Nai, reported critical flooding while located at 16°44'N, 108°12'E—approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Chan May, Thua Thien Hue. Despite the crew's emergency efforts to prevent the ship from sinking, they were unsuccessful, prompting the captain to issue a distress call. At the time, severe weather conditions due to the northeastern monsoon included winds reaching force 6-7, gusts up to force 8-9, and waves exceeding three meters.

Upon receiving the distress signal, the Centre coordinated with local radio to issue a maritime safety broadcast and urgently mobilized nearby vessels and resources to assist in the rescue effort. Collaborators included the shipowner, maritime authorities from Thua Thien Hue and Thai Binh, and local forces.

The Centre also deployed advanced maritime tracking systems, including AIS, LRIT, and Seavision, to locate the nine crew members. Various vessels, including the Vietnam Coast Guard vessel CSB 6006, HAIAN PARK, HAIAN CITY, HAI NAM 39, HUU NGHI 08, and Green Celeste (flagged in Panama), along with local fishing boats, participated in the rescue operation.

At 4:45 a.m., the HAIAN PARK located and safely rescued seven crew members who were adrift on a life raft. Unfortunately, it was confirmed that the Gia Bao 19 had sunk, leaving two crew members missing, who were reportedly wearing life jackets.

At 11:20 a.m., the fishing vessel QNg 98294 TS found the two remaining crew members and successfully rescued them. Both individuals were in stable health and were able to eat and drink normally. The fishing boat transported them to Da Nang, where they arrived safely at 4:20 p.m. Meanwhile, at 6:10 p.m., HAIAN PARK brought the seven rescued crew members to Chan May Port in Thua Thien Hue, where they were safely disembarked.

Below are some images from the rescue operation./.

The rescue team received the Gia Bao 19 crew and brought them back to shore.

The rescue team assessed the health of the crew members from the Gia Bao 19.

The remaining two crew members of the Gia Bao 19 ship were brought back to Da Nang safely.