SAR 412 promptly rescued 14 crew members from a sinking ship in extremely bad weather situation

At 16:03 on October 13, 2023, due to bad weather occurring widely in the Central sea area, fishing boat TH 90929 TS with 14 crew members on-board, owned and captained by Mr. Le Xuan Dung, residing in Hoang Truong commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province, urgently moved to shore to take shelter. However, at position of 16º 09' N; 108º 20' E, the fishing boat took on water, flooding was not under control, she was not under command and sinking. The 14 crew members panicked and struggled with the harsh weather with waves over 3 meters high, gusts of wind, heavy rain, and tried to bail water out to save the boat. Realizing the dangerous situation, Captain Le Xuan Dung contacted the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (the Center) to request immediate assistance.

Immediately after receiving the distress alert, the Center instructed the crew to take safety measures, limit drifting and anti-sinking methods, and alert the entire system to be ready with all facilities to deploy rescue. Implementing the drastic direction from the National Committee for Disasters Response and Search and Rescue, it is necessary to mobilize all resources, at all costs, to deploy rescue for 14 crew members in critical condition when the weather gets worse. The Center coordinated with the Da Nang Border Guard Command, the Da Nang City Command for  Disaster Response, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense to mobilize all resources to assist the distress boat and at the same time deploy SAR 412 ship to urgently leave the bridge to carry out the rescue mission for 14 crew members of TH 90929 TS fishing boat.

Overcoming harsh weather situation at the fastest speed, at 18:00 the same day, the maritime rescue force approached TH 90929 TS fishing boat, the rescue workers boarded to launch anti-sinking pumps and connect the towing line to SAR 412. The distress crew members were brought to SAR 412 in a state of exhaustion and panic and received intensive medical care from the rescue workers; SAR 412  deployed to support the towing of TH 90929 TS out of the dangerous area, the journey back to the mainland to preserve the assets of the fishermen.

By 21:04 the same day, the maritime search and rescue force had brought all 14 crew members and TH 90929 TS back to Da Nang safely and handed them over to the authorities according to regulations. The technical team of the Center continues to support fishermen in fixing the problem so that they can return to work as soon as possible.

Below are some case photos./.

Maritime rescue forces search and approach TH 90929 TS fishing boat

Implement anti-sinking measures

SAR 412 brings distressed crew members back to Da Nang safely