OMM Newsroom
Six crew members went missing on Wednesday after an oil tanker sank off Thailand’s eastern coast, prompting a search and rescue operation and preparations for a possible oil spill, according to Anadolu Agency.
The Thai-registered “Venus 14”, which supplies fuel to fishing boats, sank about 27 nautical miles from the entrance to Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri province, the Royal Thai Navy said.
Navy deploys search teams
The First Naval Area Command launched an operation to locate the missing crew and the sunken vessel, the Bangkok Post reported.
A navy patrol boat, “Tor 113”, and a maritime surveillance aircraft have been sent to the area. Authorities have also warned other vessels navigating nearby waters.
The navy said search and rescue operations would continue as authorities monitored the area for possible damage to the marine ecosystem.
Authorities prepare for possible fuel leak
The navy is coordinating with the Marine Department on preparations to address possible marine pollution if fuel leaked from the tanker. The amount of fuel aboard when the vessel sank remains unknown.
The tugboat “HTMS Panyi” and a helicopter have been placed on standby, with personnel and oil-spill response equipment ready for deployment if needed.
Officials have not disclosed what caused the tanker to sink or whether it sent a distress signal before the incident.
