Five Thai freighter crewmen missing in the sea off Taiwan

[webfact]

Five Thai freighter crewmen missing in the sea off Taiwan

 

 

Two Thai crew members of a freighter were injured and five others are missing after their vessel capsized in rough seas off Gao Song town in Taiwan on Friday night.

 

According to the FleetMon – Tracking the Seven Seas website, the Tuvalu-registered cargo ship, named Seatran Ferry 12, or Olive Maru No 8, encountered rough seas, as it was approaching Gao Song town, and sent out an SOS call.  Responding to the distress call, a Taiwanese coastguard vessel was sent to the rescue and managed to pluck five crewmen out of the water, two of whom had suffered injuries.

 

Another five Thai crew members are still missing. Taiwan News reports that the freighter’s engine malfunctioned, making it impossible for the skipper to control the vessel.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/five-thai-freighter-crewmen-missing-in-the-sea-off-taiwan/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-10-26

 

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[Grumpy John]

Would hold hundreds of people and vehicles if in use on a regular run.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Taiwan News reports that the freighter’s engine malfunctioned, making it impossible for the skipper to control the vessel.

Poor timing or poor maintenance, maybe both....

Sorry for the guys lost.

[Burma Bill]

For reference from "Maritime News":-

Passenger ro-ro cargo ship SEATRAN FERRY 12 (ex- OLIVE MARU NO.8) was caught in rough weather in Taiwan Strait off Kaohsiung Taiwan, and issued distress signal, late at night Oct 23. Taiwan Rescue services launched SAR, five ship’s crew were found in the water, floating in life jackets, all were rescued, two of them suffering from injures, but all are understood to be safe, luckily. 5 crew remain missing, SAR is ongoing.
SEATRAN FERRY 12 understood to be bought by Thailand SEATRAN FERYY company in Japan earlier this year, the ship was under way from Japan to Thailand, Gulf of Siam, to be deployed on Gulf passenger lines. All 10 crew are reportedly, Thai nationalities.
Passenger ro-ro cargo ship SEATRAN FERRY 12, IMO 8877849, GT 1037, built 1994, flag Tuvalu, manager SEATRANS FERRY CO., Bangkok.

(Interesting to note a "ro-ro" vessel sailing in rough seas - flooded vehicle deck??)

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2020 by Burma Bill
additional information

[Grumpy John]

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

For reference from "Maritime News":-

Passenger ro-ro cargo ship SEATRAN FERRY 12 (ex- OLIVE MARU NO.8) was caught in rough weather in Taiwan Strait off Kaohsiung Taiwan, and issued distress signal, late at night Oct 23. Taiwan Rescue services launched SAR, five ship’s crew were found in the water, floating in life jackets, all were rescued, two of them suffering from injures, but all are understood to be safe, luckily. 5 crew remain missing, SAR is ongoing.
SEATRAN FERRY 12 understood to be bought by Thailand SEATRAN FERYY company in Japan earlier this year, the ship was under way from Japan to Thailand, Gulf of Siam, to be deployed on Gulf passenger lines. All 10 crew are reportedly, Thai nationalities.
Passenger ro-ro cargo ship SEATRAN FERRY 12, IMO 8877849, GT 1037, built 1994, flag Tuvalu, manager SEATRANS FERRY CO., Bangkok.

(Interesting to note a "ro-ro" vessel sailing in rough seas - flooded vehicle deck??)

 

 

 

The bilge pumps would have coped if the engine was running to provide power...which seems strange to me having traveled on similar ships. Because the vehicle deck is set low to aid in stability there are usually 2 engine rooms with 2 diesel engines and 2 propeller shafts one on each side.  If one engine goes out you still have the second to provide auxilary power and limited propulsion.