On September 18, 2024, the Vietnamese-flagged vessel An Binh Phat 68 encountered a critical situation in the South China Sea near Quang Nam province, Vietnam. The ship, which was transporting 4,000 tons of powdered stone, sent out a distress signal at approximately 1:42 PM local time. The distress call indicated that the vessel had tilted 45 degrees and provided its location.
In response, the Quang Nam Port Authority quickly alerted the Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, the Quang Nam Border Command, the local coast guard, and other relevant agencies to initiate a search and rescue operation. The authorities advised the captain to close all fuel tank valves to prevent potential environmental contamination.
Source: www.qrt.vn
Despite these efforts, the vessel continued to experience difficulties and ultimately sank. By September 19, reports confirmed that the An Binh Phat 68 had completely submerged. Fortunately, the Vietnamese Coast Guard successfully rescued all eight crew members from the distressed ship.
The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by maritime operations in the region and underscores the importance of timely and coordinated rescue efforts in preventing loss of life and minimizing environmental impact.
