Rescue operation for 10 crew members of distress vessel SUNRISE 268 in the water of Ba Lat estuary, Nam Dinh

At 09:40 on April 30, 2024, Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (the Center) received information that m/v  SUNRISE 268 (MMSI: 574013282, class of ship VR-SB, 79.8 meters long, 12.8 meters wide), with 10 crew members on board, while carrying more than 3,000 tons of cement from Phuc Son Port (inland waterway port in Kim Mon district, Hai Duong) to Quy Nhon, listed, then ran aground in position 20-07.9 N 106-30.8 E, about 5 nautical miles from South West of Ba Lat estuary, Nam Dinh, in danger of sinking, the captain of the distressed vessel required emergency assistance.

Immediately after receiving the rescue request, the Center requested Hai Phong Coast Radio Station to broadcast MAYDAY message, mobilized all vessels in vicinity of the distress position, and coordinated with Nam Dinh Border Guards to assist the distressed vessel.

Under the command of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Center dispatched SAR 411 standing by in Hai Phong to rescue and to be on-scene coordinator.

Rescue vessel SAR 411 left the Central’s berth in Hai Phong for rescue

Photos of sinking m/v SUNRISE 268

At 15:30 on April 30, 2024, SAR 411 arrived on scene, approached m/v SUNRISE 268, and evacuated 05 crew members on board to apply for medical care. The rescue team used a speedboat to rescue Captain Nguyen Van Tam trapped on m/v SUNRISE 268 and transferred him safely to the rescue vessel.

Photos of the rescue mission of 06 crew members on board SAR 411

The remaining 04 crew members of m/v SUNRISE 268 were approached and transferred safely to shore by Ba Lat Border Guard station.

Interviewed at the scene, Captain Nguyen Van Tam said: as soon as the vessel was listed and in danger of sinking, he sent out a distress message to the shore via the Coast Radio Station, requesting immediate assistance. Due to the timely response of the Center and the Border Guards, all the distress vessel crew were saved.

At 21.36 the same day, rescue vessel SAR 411 transferred 06 crew members of the distress vessel to Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center no.I’s berth in Hai Phong city to hand over to the authorities.

Search and rescue forces handed over the victims to authorities in Hai Phong

The Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration inquired and encouraged the distress crew through rescue vessel SAR 411’s satellite communication device, and also noted that vessels have to comply with maritime safety rules and regulations. when proceeding at sea, especially in the current phase, there are many complicated and unpredictable weather situations at sea./.

The Center's leaders sent greetings and gifts from the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration to the distress crew