The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported a successful rescue operation on January 11, when the container vessel Nicolai Maersk saved 18 Vietnamese crew members from the sinking Dolphin 18 in the South China Sea.
At approximately 07:00 hrs Singapore time, the MPA’s Maritime and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was alerted by the Nicolai Maersk, which had received a distress signal from the Dolphin 18, a 7,750 dwt cargo ship.
The distressed vessel, located around 274 nautical miles southwest of Vung Tau, Vietnam, fell within the Singapore Maritime Search and Rescue Region.
The Nicolai Maersk, a Hong Kong-registered container ship owned by Maersk, arrived at the scene shortly after the distress call and successfully rescued all 18 crew members, who were found aboard lifeboats. Fortunately, all the rescued seafarers were reported to be in good health.
Shortly after the rescue, the Dolphin 18 was confirmed to have sunk. The MRCC has issued a navigational broadcast, urging passing vessels to exercise caution in the area.
The Dolphin 18, built in 1999, is owned by Vin Son Trading & Transport. The Nicolai Maersk is en route to its next port of call in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, where the rescued crew will be disembarked.
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