On January 12, 2023, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received an urgent distress call from the 1,187 deadweight tonnage (dwt) Malaysian-registered tanker, Silver Sincere, at 15:40 local time. The vessel reported taking on water, prompting the Master to evacuate the crew into liferafts. Fortunately, all eight crew members were swiftly rescued by the Indonesian freighter, Intan Daya 368, which the MPA directed to assist.
Upon rescue, all crew members were reported to be in healthy condition and were later disembarked in Batu Ampur, Indonesia. Despite the successful evacuation of the crew, the Silver Sincere ultimately sank in Singapore waters near Pedra Branca, an area situated at the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait. The region was experiencing a monsoon surge accompanied by heavy weather and strong winds, contributing to the emergency situation.
The Silver Sincere, built in 1987 and owned by CCK Capital based in Penang, Malaysia, had P&I (Protection and Indemnity) insurance through the Shipowners Club, which is known for covering smaller tonnage vessels. In response to the incident, Singapore authorities mobilized salvage tugs and oil spill response craft to the area.
To ensure navigational safety, the MPA issued advisories urging passing vessels to remain clear of the site of the sinking, although they stated that normal navigational traffic in the Singapore Strait remained unaffected. This incident highlights not only the challenges posed by harsh maritime conditions but also the effectiveness of coordination among regional maritime authorities in emergencies.
