Following their cargo ship’s overnight submersion in water in the southern Philippines, the 17 Vietnamese crew members were successfully rescued, according to the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police Maritime Group.
In particular, the Viet Hai Star (4,000 dwt) had departed Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on 15th November and was carrying 80,000 bags (approximately 4,000 tons) of rice.
The ship, which is registered in Vietnam, is 287 feet long and has 17 crew members. It was constructed in 2008. It was travelling to the Mindanao city of Cagayan de Oro.
Around 9:00 p.m. on November 21, the ship sent out a distress call from around 800 yards off the shore of Balabac, which is located on the southwest coast of the Philippines. The crew of the ship “discovered a leak at the starboard side of the vessel,” according to the PCG.
Furthermore, some reports indicate that the vessel might have grounded while others appear to indicate the vessel was intentionally grounded after the leak was discovered.
The PCG reports that as of Wednesday, November 22, the vessel was “already half submerged.” Nothing indicating an oil leak has been discovered.
