On May 25, a major rescue operation unfolded off the coast of Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, after the cargo ship Cong Thanh 07 sank in rough seas. The 80-meter-long vessel, carrying approximately 4,900 tons of coal from Quang Ninh to Quang Binh, encountered engine failure, developed a severe list, and began taking on water before completely submerging about 9 nautical miles from Vung Ang Port.
The distress call was made at around 8:40 PM by the ship’s crew, who reported a dire situation involving flooding and engine loss. The Ha Tinh Maritime Port Authority quickly sprang into action, collaborating with local rescue agencies to coordinate a response. By 9:30 PM, the vessel had completely sunk, leaving the 10 crew members adrift in treacherous conditions characterized by heavy rain, high waves (up to 4 meters), and poor visibility.
The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC) dispatched the offshore rescue ship SAR 631 and enlisted the help of six additional vessels, while aerial support was provided by helicopters to bolster the search efforts. The first survivor, identified as Do Sy Thuong, was located drifting 17 nautical miles southwest of the wreck site around 5:45 AM the following morning. This prompted authorities to expand the search area to a 30-nautical-mile radius extending southeast.
By 11 AM, SAR 631 had rescued six more crew members suffering from exhaustion. One crew member required medical attention, while three more were picked up by nearby vessels. All 10 crew members were eventually found alive; initial miscommunication had led to the belief that there were 11 crew members on board, but it was later clarified that one had taken emergency leave prior to the voyage.
Rescue efforts concluded by the afternoon of May 26, with nine crew members safely brought ashore at Vung Ang Port. The tenth sailor, who had drifted farther, was rescued later that day. Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Province People’s Committee, Tran Bao Ha, personally welcomed the rescued sailors, praising their bravery and acknowledging the effective coordination among maritime authorities and rescue personnel.
Survivor Bui Trong Tuan recounted his harrowing experience of clinging to a buoy for hours, fearing he might never reunite with his family. Maritime officials commended the rapid response under challenging conditions, with emphasis on the importance of safety protocols and coordination among rescue forces. As of now, the Cong Thanh 07 remains submerged in 30 meters of water, and authorities have requested the vessel’s owner to devise a salvage plan. Precautionary measures are being taken to prevent environmental damage due to the presence of fuel and lubricating oil on board, issuing maritime warnings to other vessels in the area during recovery operations. The sunken vessel was built in 2009 and was sailing from Hon Gai to Hon La at the time of the incident.
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