RESCUERS are rushing to tow an oil tanker than ran aground at Koh Mai Si Lek, near Koh Kood off Trat, after being slammed by strong waves and currents to prevent it from sinking and spilling oil into the sea, Naewna newspaper said today (Sep. 17).
At 6 a.m. Marine and Coastal Resources Department office in Trat got an SOS from the captain of Thai Laem Thong 8 oil tanker who said while all 10 crewmembers were safe, the vessel’s hull was ripped and seawater was flowing into the engine room,
Lt. Nawin Silpawittayakon, operations officer at this office, contacted Koh Kood District Chief Mr. Phrai Soisaeng to assist the oil tanker because the strong waves may lead to the vessel sinking and spilling oil which would also affect the neighbouring island.
However Phrai said could not travel from Koh Kood to Koh Mai Si Lek as although it was not raining the waves were very strong. He had to ask Soneva Kiri Hotel to take him there on their boat.
Upon inspecting the grounded vessel it was found that it was still in good condition but it was not yet known how much oil it was carrying with this to be ascertained upon inspection by relevant officials.
Meanwhile Mr. Narong Chaisiri, president of Trat Provincial Fisheries Association, revealed that Thai Laem Thong 8 had brought green motor oil from Rayong province to sell to fishing boats off Trat and was returning there last night but its engine broke down and it ran aground.
Mr. Manoch Phikunthong, the oil tanker’s captain, said the vessel no longer had much oil left because it had delivered most of it to boats both in Cambodian territorial waters and bordering waters.
The boat was travelling back to Rayong but it was raining heavily and the waves were two to three metres high which led to the engine breaking down and running around at Koh Mai Si Lek. The hull was ripped and seawater started flowing in, but not a lot, and the crew had to pump it out all the time to prevent it from sinking.
Rescuers had now arrived and together with some fishing boats were trying to tow the boat but as the wind and waves were strong this would take some time, he said, adding the oil tanker could not now return to Rayong and would have to drop anchor at Koh Kood for repairs.
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The oil tanker grounded at Koh Mai Si Lek. Photos: Naewna
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