PANO - The SAR 413 and the HQ 608 in the afternoon on January 2nd joined common effort in saving one Philippine crew member and recover two others off Vung Tau city.

The distressed was on board the Bulk Jupiter, a Bahamas freighter, with 19 Philippine crew members in distress around 150 nautical miles southeast the city at 9:41 am the same day.

The Bulk Jupiter. Photo provided by Vietnam MRCC

At 1:30 pm, the Zim Asia, a container ship and the Pan Uno, a bulk carrier found the distressed ship’s jolly boat and lifebuoy without any people nearby.

Upon receiving the news, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) signaled other ships operating near the scene and sent the SAR 413 from Vung Tau for rescue. The Ministry of National Defence also directed the Navy to send the HQ 608 to team up with the SAR 413.

The search for the remaining crew members is going on.

In the evening the same day, the Thuan An Border Gate Border Post in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien-Hue province, timely contacted four trawlers operating around Thuan An seaport to rescue 9 fishermen on board the sinking trawler TTH-95141 with Huynh Van Hung in Phu Hai commune, Phu Vang district, at the helm.

For days in rough sea, it is risky for any trawlers to go fishing in Thuan An seaport where there are often whirlpools.

Translated by Ha Thanh