Thai Navy Rescues 16 Crew Members from Sinking Cargo Ship off Phuket

The Thai Navy successfully rescued all 16 crew members from a cargo vessel that was in danger of sinking off the coast of Phuket on February 7, according to Amarin TV. The operation was launched after authorities received an alert about the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Sealloyd Arc, which has a displacement of 4,339 tons, facing critical conditions near Koh Kaew Noi, about 10 nautical miles from shore.

Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, said Maritime Security Command Region 3 was immediately notified of the emergency. In response, the Navy’s Region 3 Operation Centre swiftly deployed warships and aircraft to the area and coordinated with multiple relevant agencies to conduct search and rescue operations.

Alongside rescuing the crew, authorities also closely monitored the situation for potential oil spills and deployed containment buoys to minimize any possible environmental impact. A dedicated war room was established to ensure real-time coordination among agencies and to manage the incident efficiently until it was fully resolved.

All crew members were safely brought ashore without injury. The Royal Thai Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and the marine environment, emphasizing its readiness to provide 24-hour assistance to seafarers and vessels in distress while protecting national interests and marine resources in a sustainable manner.