The Navy has dispatched a team of frogmen to dive underwater in search of five missing fishing crew members after the fishing boat “S. Kanjanawari 888” sank in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. No bodies have been found so far, while the boat's owner is preparing to salvage the vessel back to shore. Meanwhile, the Navy continues to patrol both sea and air areas without interruption.
At approximately 22:00 on 21 Sep 2016, a storm called “Lom Hua Fon” violently struck the fishing trawler S. Kanjanawari 888, causing it to sink at coordinates 11°56.93' N and 100°50.90' E, between Samae San Bay and Prachuap Khiri Khan Bay, about 40 nautical miles from Samae San Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. All 22 crew members fell into the sea amid strong waves and winds. On 22 Sep, the Navy's First Naval Area Command and fishing boats jointly rescued 15 survivors: one Thai engineer and 14 Myanmar crew members, all safely brought ashore. One Thai captain died, and six Myanmar crew members were initially missing. Later, just before sunset and after suspending the search, a fishing boat rescued an additional Myanmar crew member floating at sea. The final count was 16 survivors, 1 death, and 5 missing.
The latest update at 09:30 on 23 Sep 2016 reports that the Navy, under Vice Admiral Chalermchai Suankaeo, Commander of the First Naval Area Command, ordered Lieutenant Commander Apinat Sangwaranit, commander of patrol boat T.112, to lead a team of over 10 divers, including special operations frogmen from the First Naval Area Command, rescue divers from the Sawang Rojanatham Sattahip and Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundations, and AC DIVING instructor Mr. Chainat Wan Chiang, equipped with diving gear. Under the supervision of Commander Kongsak Yuakong, head of the Chonburi Port Security Control Center (SORCHOL First Naval Area), they departed from Laem Thian Pier at Sattahip Naval Base to conduct the search for the five missing persons at the sinking site, a four-hour journey.
For safety due to strong waves and winds, the search team used a rubber boat to travel about 200 meters from patrol boat T.112, which was anchored near the wreck site, to avoid collision. Two frogmen divers and the diving instructor conducted a detailed underwater search inside the vessel, including the wheelhouse, sleeping quarters, engine room, and surrounding areas at a depth of 16 meters. The search took 30 minutes before the divers surfaced and reported that no missing crew members' bodies were found inside the boat.
It is now confirmed that no missing persons are trapped inside the vessel. The boat owner will proceed with salvaging the ship back to shore. Meanwhile, the Navy will continue deploying patrol boats and helicopters to patrol and search for the missing crew by sea and air without interruption.
Reporters noted that after no bodies were found inside the boat, relatives and families of the missing Myanmar crew members prayed to sacred spirits, hoping for a miracle that all the missing crew are still alive and will be rescued safely to return to their families who await their return.
The 22 people on board included two Thais: Mr. Wichan Ma-iang, 46, the Thai captain (deceased), and Mr. Jakkrid Sukphong, 32, the Thai engineer (survivor). The other 20 were Myanmar crew members. Among them, five remain missing: Mr. Soe Lat (20), Mr. Naing Oo (45), Mr. Htun Lwae (22), Mr. Khin Maung Aye (47), and Mr. San Htike (47).
The 15 survivors are: Mr. Htwe Ko Khing (31), Mr. Myo Myo (30), Mr. Tin Lay (38), Mr. Zaw Htet (42), Mr. Zin Min Tun (37), Mr. Kin Ma Toe (45), Mr. Aye Mint Zan (45), Mr. Soe (20), Mr. Bo Lin Tun (39), Mr. Myint Ko (52), Mr. Sai Min (32), Mr. An Myat Lwn (48), Mr. Kaung Khant Nain (21), Mr. Lai Lo (19), and Mr. Yi Lin (22).