The Japan Coast Guard and the South Korean Coast Guard saved 17 seafarers from a sinking bulker off Japan.
The crew of the Vietnamese bulker Houei Crystal sent a distress signal on December 1 reporting that a crewmember had been washed overboard by a wave. A littlel later, they called again to report that the vessel was in distress in heavy weather.
All remaining 17 crewmembers safely abandoned ship in a lifeboat, shortly efore the Houei Crystal sank.
A Russian good samaritan vessel was near the scene and attempted to rescue the crew. However, the effort was not successful due to heavy seas.
A day later, a South Korean Coast Guard cutter arrived and took all 17 survivors safely aboard. Four of the crewmembers sustained minor injuries.
All were brought safely ashore and were provided with a medical evaluation.
Currently, a search for the missing crewmember is under way.