16 Bangladeshi crew rescued after cargo vessel en route to Ctg Port sinks off Phuket
All rescued crew members are currently staying at a hotel in Phuket
All 16 Bangladeshi crew members of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel MV Sealloyd Arc were safely rescued after the ship developed a severe list and sank off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, officials said.
The rescue was confirmed by the vessel's Bangladeshi agent, Alvi Lines Bangladesh, and the ship's management.
According to Bangladesh's Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JMRCC), the MV Sealloyd Arc, carrying 229 containers from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram, began listing sharply around 3pm Thai local time yesterday, about four nautical miles off Phuket.
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Captain Sheikh Munir Ahmed, the ship's master, reported that the situation worsened rapidly, prompting him to declare "abandon ship" and issue a distress signal. The Thai Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre responded promptly, evacuating all crew members safely by 3:50pm.
"The swift response of the Thai authorities ensured the safe evacuation of all 16 crew members without any casualties," JMRCC said.
All rescued crew members, Bangladeshi nationals, are currently staying at a hotel in Phuket and are reported to be in good physical and mental health.
A follow-up from the vessel's management confirmed that the MV Sealloyd Arc has since sunk. The site was inspected by the Thai Navy and representatives of the insurance company.
The vessel, owned by Singapore-based Sealloyd Shipping Lines and managed in Bangladesh by NAFF Marin Services, was scheduled to call at Chattogram as its next port.
JMRCC Bangladesh said that, after completing legal and administrative formalities with Thai authorities, arrangements would be made to repatriate the crew.
Md Zakir Hossain, assistant director at JMRCC, confirmed that Bangladesh authorities are maintaining contact with the crew, the ship's agents, and foreign counterparts to ensure a smooth return.
