MPA coordinates rescue of 305 passengers from sinking ship off Vietnam’s coast

SINGAPORE – The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was concerned in directing the rescue of 305 onboard a sinking ship off Vietnam’s coast on Monday.

In response to queries from The Straits Instances, an MPA spokesman stated Singapore’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Singapore (MRCC), which it operates, had obtained info at 12.20pm on Monday from MRCC Colombo {that a} picket vessel inside Singapore’s maritime search and rescue area had reported that they had been sinking.

MRCC Singapore instantly contacted the vessel and confirmed that it was in misery. The ship was a Myanmar-flagged fishing vessel named Girl 3, reported AFP.

Quoting Vietnam’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, the wire company additionally reported that the vessel was enroute to Canada when it encountered difficulties about 250 nautical miles off Vung Tau on Vietnam’s southern coast.

There have been 20 youngsters onboard, reported AFP, which added that the ship had confronted points since Saturday, with water flowing into its engine room.

MPA stated MRCC Singapore coordinated with MRCC Vung Tau to request close by vessels to supply rapid help, and issued security broadcasts to the vessels within the neighborhood to be vigilant and report any sightings.

MRCC Vung Tau responded to MRCC Singapore’s request and deployed a floor vessel for help, added MPA.

A close-by industrial Japan-flagged vessel responded to the request at 4.20pm and supplied help to the vessel in misery.

The folks rescued by the vessel have arrived safely in Vung Tau in Vietnam, MPA stated.