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102 Safely Rescued After Ferry Sinks in Koh Tao, Thailand
Thailand’s Maritime Enforcement Command reports 102 passengers and crew, including foreign tourists, were safely rescued after a ferry travelling to the tourist island of Koh Tao was hit by high waves before it sank on Friday.
The 115-tonne ferry was crushed by waves as high as 3 meters in the Kong Hin Tung Ku area, some 4 nautical miles off the coast of Koh Tao.
According to the ferry crew, seawater entered the vessel and damaged the water pumps, according to officials at the Koh Tao rescue radio centre, who were notified at 8 a.m. on Friday.
The boat carried approximately 102 passengers and staff.
At 9.10 a.m., speedboats and other craft despatched to the scene with rescue workers, and police arrived to assist individuals on board the affected vessel. They were transferred to two boats and securely transported to the Koh Tao pier.
The ship eventually sank around 10.30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Maritime Enforcement Command Centre stated the boat’s owner, Mr. Paitoon Kongchan, informed him that the boat, T. Sandee Maneesap 111, will be operated when appropriate action is taken.
There was also an order to salvage the ship, deconstruct, relocate, or destroy sunken ship wreckage from the region where the ship sank.
It needs to be completed within 15 days after receiving this order. Throughout the procedure, indicators highlighting threats will be visible for navigation both during the day and at night.
