According to the center, on March 9 it received information that Ship QNg 95157 TS, carrying 34 fishermen, suffered a main engine failure while fishing squid about 90 nautical miles Northeast of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province. The engine was unable to be repaired.
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Ship SAR 273 leaving the pier to conduct the mission |
After the breakdown, the boat deployed a sea anchor and began drifting at a speed of about 0.4 - 0.5 nautical miles per hour. The weather conditions in the area were deteriorating, with strong northeast winds at force 5–6, gusting to force 7–8, rough seas and waves reaching 3–4 meters. Given the increasingly dangerous conditions and the potential risk to the ship and the crew, the captain requested urgent rescue assistance.
Immediately after receiving the report, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center issued a maritime notice calling on ships operating in nearby waters to assist the distressed fishing boat. The center also coordinated with relevant authorities and local forces to organize support measures. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions and rough sea, ships operating near the area were unable to approach and assist the fishing boat.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation and the potential danger to the fishermen, the center reported the incident to competent authorities and was authorized to deploy the specialized rescue ship SAR 273, which was on standby in Nha Trang, to carry out an emergency rescue operation.
Despite the rough sea and strong winds, the SAR 273 departed from the center’s pier in Nha Trang and headed toward the distressed vessel. Rescue forces worked with urgency and determination to reach the scene as quickly as possible.
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The SAR 273 approaches the distressed trawler QNg 95157 TS. |
At 4:48 p.m. the same day, SAR 273 successfully approached the fishing boat and immediately began implementing rescue measures. The rescue vessel established a connection with the distressed boat and organized towing operations to bring it back to shore safely.
By 5:00 a.m. on March 10, SAR 273 had towed the QNg 95157 TS and its 34 fishermen to the pier of the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center Region 4 in Nha Trang, where they were safely handed over to the relevant authorities.
Translated by Tran Hoai