Thirteen fishermen rescued from sinking boats at sea

The projected location and direction of Pabuk, the first storm to hit Vietnam this year. (Photo: nchmf.gov.vn)

According to the latest news from the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial Border Guard Command, three fishermen on a fishing boat coded BV 4308 TS, which sank when seeking to enter Indonesia for storm shelters, were rescued by another fishing boat coded BV 5075 TS.

Both vessels are owned by 66-year-old Ngo Quyet, a local in Phuoc Tinh commune, Long Dien district, southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Another 10 fishermen on a sinking boat coded BV 92357 TS were also rescued by a fishing boat coded BV 92356 TS, captained by 46-year-old Ngo Van Khoi, also a Phuoc Tinh resident. The provincial border guard forces are currently guiding the two aforementioned fishing vessels and 13 rescued fishermen to safe storm shelters.

The two vessels sank at around 10am on January 2, with BV 4308 TS facing the incident 36 nautical miles to the north of the Vietnam-Indonesia maritime demarcation line, while BV 92357 TS sank 70 nautical miles to the northeast of Indonesia’s Natuna Island.

In addition, two fishing boats coded BV 5419 TS and BV 5418 TS, with a total of 18 fishermen on board, broke down at 1pm on Wednesday and were left drifting at sea on their way to enter Indonesia for storm shelters. The provincial Border Guard Command has identified satellite phone numbers of the two vessels, both owned by Bach Tan Trong in Phuoc Tinh commune, and is working with functional agencies to resume contact. They have already informed vehicles and ships nearby to implement support and rescue./.

NDO