Maritime rescue ship SAR 273 leaves Cua Lo sea to search for 3 crew members lost contact at sea

(Baonghean.vn) - Ship SAR 273 is on standby at Cua Lo to coordinate with the ship owner and salvage unit to "rescue" ship VTB 26 - sunk by storm No. 2, has been mobilized to leave Cua Lo sea to search for the QN 8359 carrying 3 crew members (from Quang Ninh) who lost contact.

On the morning of October 22, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center mobilized maritime rescue ship SAR 273 to leave its position in Cua Lo waters to participate in the search for barge QN 8359, which lost contact with 3 crew members.

Maritime rescue vessel SAR 273. Photo: KA

Immediately after receiving the dispatch order, SAR 273 ship changed direction to the sea area of ​​Bach Long Vy island (Quang Ninh) to join maritime rescue ship SAR 411 and other forces in searching for 3 crew members and barge QN 8359.

Previously, at 6:15 a.m. on October 21, according to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, the following information was received: Barge QN 8359 (belonging to Long Dat Company Limited, located at No. 8, Group 8, Zone 1, Tran Hung Dao Ward, Ha Long, Quang Ninh) with 3 crew members led by Nguyen Van Quang, with a tonnage of 700 tons, carrying construction materials from Hai Phong to Bach Long Vi Island, encountered big waves and strong winds, water flooded into the cargo hold and was at risk of sinking at coordinates 200 11'E, 1070 23'N, about 18 nautical miles West Northwest of Bach Long Vi Island.

Immediately after receiving the information, the Center requested the crew to maintain contact, prepare life-saving equipment to leave the ship when necessary; requested ships operating in the area where the QN 8359 barge was in distress to increase vigilance to support the barge in distress. At the same time, mobilized the maritime rescue ship SAR 411 to leave the location urgently for the rescue mission.

The search for 3 crew members of barge QN 8359 is being carried out by maritime rescue ship SAR 411. Photo: KA

There was no communication equipment on the damaged barge, and communication with the ship's crew was only via mobile phone. By 8:30 a.m. the same day, communication with the ship's crew via mobile phone was not possible. Maritime rescue ship SAR 411 immediately deployed to search for the 3 crew members of barge QN 8359.

At 3:15 p.m. on October 21, at the request of the Center, the National Search and Rescue Committee continued to mobilize ship CSB 8003 to participate in the rescue, ships SAR 411 and CSB 8003 conducted the search according to the SAROPS search plan.

On the morning of October 22, maritime rescue ship SAR 273 left its position in Cua Lo, Nghe An to search the area where the ship was in distress.

Currently, rescue vehicles at the scene have not discovered any further information about the ship in distress.

The search for 3 crew members of barge QN 8359 is being urgently organized by the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center.

Khanh An