Informing VietNamNet, tonight (March 24), the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center said: The unit has just successfully rescued 9 crew members of a cement ship that had an accident in the waters of Cu Lao Cham.

WATCH CLIP:

Accordingly, at 5:15 am today, Giang Anh 18 ship, captained by Hoang Manh Tien and 8 crew members, was on a journey from Hai Phong to Chu Lai, carrying 2,960 tons of cement. When the ship reached the position with coordinates: 15º 54.056' N - 108º 31.124' E, about 0.53 nautical miles from Hon Tai island, Cu Lao Cham sea (Hoi An), the ship crashed into a shallow reef. The ship's hull was punctured, water flooded into the deck, causing the ship to tilt 35º - 40º left.

The captain and crew tried to fix the leak, but the hole in the hull was so large that water quickly flooded into the ship and it began to sink. The situation worsened, causing panic among the crew.

Bird Train 1.jpeg
Cement ship sank, 9 crew members in distress. Photo: Hoang Bach

Realizing the dangerous situation threatening the lives of the crew, the Captain of the Giang Anh 18 contacted the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center urgently requesting emergency rescue.

Upon receiving the news, the Center dispatched forces to guide the rescue from afar, requiring crew members to wear life jackets and quickly implement safety measures and immediately abandon ship.

The center also coordinated with relevant agencies in the area and the Border Guard force to mobilize all resources to rescue the distressed ship.

Bird Train 2.jpeg
Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center dispatched rescue vehicles to rescue 9 crew members. Photo: Tung Bach

The unit's leaders mobilized rescue ship SAR 274 in Da Nang to urgently leave the port to rescue Giang Anh 18 ship.

At 7:27 a.m., SAR 274 arrived at the scene and approached Giang Anh 18. The rescue team quickly applied professional measures and searched for and rescued 4 crew members who were in poor health and panic and handed them over to medical staff for care and treatment.

Bird Train 3.jpeg
Develop an oil spill response plan after the incident.

Afterwards, SAR 274 continued to coordinate with vehicles of the Quang Nam Provincial Border Guard Command to rescue the remaining 5 crew members and bring them to Cu Lao Cham Island for medical care.

At 9:54, all 9 victims were brought safely to Cu Lao Cham and handed over to the authorities.

Bird Train 7.jpeg
Search for missing sailors.

SAR 274 vessel continued to stay at the scene to coordinate with relevant units to survey and develop a plan to prevent oil spills at sea. As for Giang Anh 18 vessel, the units were unable to immediately rescue the hull because the vessel was flooded and gradually sank.