Cargo Ship Sinks Off Vietnam With 19 Crew

A cargo ship — operated by Bermuda-registered Gearbulk Holding Limited — sank off East Vietnam Sea on Friday [Jan 2] carrying at least 19 Filipino crew members.

The New York Times reports that only one man is known to have survived, and e lone survivor — the chief cook on the ship — is refusing to cooperate with rescuers, making the search more difficult.

Two bodies have been recovered since the Bahamian-flagged Bulk Jupiter sank Friday en route from Malaysia to China, and Vietnamese rescuers aided by commercial ships passing through the area continued to search for the others, the Times report said.

An official statement from Gearbulk Holding Limited said, “Bulk Jupiter issued distress signals at 22:54 hours UTC on January 1st in position lat 9″.01′ 01:001N, long 109″ 15′ 26.01E.

“The vessel departed Kuantan on 30th December 2014 at around 20:00 hours local time, with 19 crew members, all Filipinos, on board and about 46,400 mts of Bauxite in bulk, stowed in all five of her cargo holds. Repeated attempts to contact the vessel on all communication channels were unsuccessful.

“The Japanese Coast Guard received the distress alert and immediatley initiated search and rescue operation. Lifeboats and life rafts have been observed in and inspected but found empty.

“The tug boat, M/V OLNG Muttrah, has picked up one surviving crew member in the area. In addition, two bodies have been recovered.

“The search and rescue operation, lead by Vietnam MRCC, Vung Tao, continues. All relatives of the crew have been notified and a family centre has been established in Manila. Our focus is now on the search and rescue operation and to look after the families affected.

“Gearbulk wants to express that their thoughts are with the Crew and their Families in this difficult situation, and also to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their help and support in this difficult situation.”

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Category: Accidents and fires, All