A search and rescue (SAR) operation is underway in the South China Sea following the distress call from the Singapore-flagged dry bulk carrier Devon Bay. The vessel, measuring 190 meters and carrying a crew of 21 Filipinos, reported being in a critical state late on January 22, listing at 25 degrees. Built in 2013 and owned by a Singapore subsidiary of Japan’s “K” Line, the ship was transporting iron ore from Zamboanga, Philippines, to Yangjiang, China.
Chinese authorities claim that the vessel capsized, contrasting with the Philippine Coast Guard, which has indicated it was listing. The ship was located approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) according to Chinese reports, while the Philippines maintained it was 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, highlighting the tensions over territorial claims in the area.
Both China and the Philippines deployed rescue vessels and aircraft. The China Coast Guard reported rescuing up to 17 crew members, including two deceased, while stating that 14 others are stable, and one requires emergency medical treatment. The Philippine Coast Guard is working to verify these details and has also sent two vessels and aircraft to assist in the SAR efforts for the four remaining missing crew members.
The situation is complicated by existing political rivalries between China and the Philippines. The waters where the incident occurred are hotly contested, particularly around Scarborough Shoal, a site of ongoing dispute between the two nations. The Philippines asserts its jurisdiction over the region, maintaining that the Devon Bay was within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) when the incident took place.
Authorities from Singapore, as the flag state of the vessel, are leading the investigation into the cause of the incident. They have indicated their ongoing monitoring of the SAR operations and have been in contact with the ship’s owners. The precise reasons for the vessel’s distress and subsequent capsizing remain unclear, though it was noted that the Devon Bay was traveling a common maritime route.
This incident not only raises concerns about the safety of maritime navigation in contested waters but also underscores the complexities involved in international maritime operations, especially in regions where geopolitical tensions are prevalent. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing crew members and determining the conditions leading to this emergency at sea.
