NGHỆ AN — All 12 crew members onboard a sinking, coal-carrying vessel were rescued by Nghệ An Province functional forces on Monday.

The Hồng Anh 69 vessel, owned by Quảng Ninh Province-based Hồng Gia Trading and Service JSC, was carrying 4,600 tonnes of coal to Nghệ An Province’s Cửa Lò Port. As the vessel was two nautical miles away from the port, water overflowed into its cargo holds.

The captain immediately signaled for help, but because of the enormous waves, the vessel overturned and 12 crew members fell into the sea.

Receiving the SOS, Việt Nam Marinetime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (VMSRCC) sent its marinetime rescue vessel, SAR 273, to the area. Simultaneously, Nghệ An Province Borderslands Security, Cửa Lò Port Border Guards, Cửa Lò Port Administration and other ships collaborated in the search and rescue operations.

After a few hours, on Monday afternoon, the SAR 273 rescued all the members of the crew.

Fishing vessel sinks

The same day, a squid fishing vessel sank when attempting to shelter from bad weather near Song Tử Tây Island of the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago. One fisherman died and one remains missing.

Phạm Văn Châu, vice chairman of Tam Giang Commune’s People’s Committee of Núi Thành District in Quảng Nam Province, said there were 36 aboard the vessel when the accident happened. 

Lương Tấn Sỹ, the owner of the vessel, is currently missing. Another crew member was pronounced dead when brought to land. The border guard force of Song Tử Tây Island was able to rescue the other 34 people. — VNS