On 11 January the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) operated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted by the container vessel NICOLAI MAERSK that it received a distress call from the freighter DOLPHIN 18.
The distressed vessel was located about 274 nautical miles southwest of Vung Tau, Vietnam, within the Singapore Maritime Search and Rescue Region, MPA said on a statement. In response, MRCC Singapore coordinated the search and rescue operations, issuing immediate navigational broadcasts to vessels in the vicinity, requesting them to be on the lookout for the freighter and report any sightings.
Moreover, MRCC alerted Vietnamese authorities for additional support. NICOLAI MAERSK arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and successfully rescued all 18 Vietnamese crew members from their lifeboats. All rescued crew were found to be in good health.
DOLPHIN 18 was reported to have sunk and as a precaution, MRCC has issued a navigational broadcast advising passing vessels to navigate with caution in the area. The rescued crew will be disembarked at the next port of call, Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.
