PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Thailand – Thailand’s Marine Department has launched a rescue operation to bring an additional crew member from the sunken vessel Venus 14 safely ashore for medical attention, while search efforts continue for those still missing. The vessel sank in the Gulf of Thailand on November 11. On November 13, the Marine Department received confirmation that the vessel Pornnuchit 5 had located and rescued one Venus 14 crew member at sea.
The Marine Department’s oil-spill response vessel, Den Sutthi, was dispatched to take over the rescue and transport the survivor to Khlong Wan Pier in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, where medical personnel would be waiting. However, heavy rain and waves of approximately two metres made it unsafe to transfer the survivor between vessels in open water. Authorities therefore adjusted the operation, with Den Sutthi guiding Pornnuchit 5 towards Koh Lueam, where conditions would hopefully allow a safer transfer.
Once the transfer can be carried out safely, Den Sutthi will take the rescued crew member ashore for medical assessment and treatment. Meanwhile, Marine Department patrol vessel 802 departed Sattahip Pier at 9.30am on November 13 to search for the remaining missing crew members. The operation is focusing on an area approximately 10–15 nautical miles south of the sinking location.
The Marine Department said it would provide further updates on the survivor’s transfer and the ongoing search operation.
