BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has instructed the Marine Department to urgently monitor the situation and provide immediate assistance to Thai crew members following an incident involving the Thai bulk carrier MAYUREE NAREE (19,891 gross tons), registered under number 550000990 and operated by Precious Flowers Co., Ltd.
The vessel was reportedly hit by an explosion at the stern while transiting the Strait of Hormuz today (11 March) at approximately 11:00 a.m. Thailand time.
According to the shipowner, the MAYUREE NAREE, carrying 23 crew members, had departed from an anchorage area in the United Arab Emirates. While passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an explosion occurred at the rear of the vessel, triggering a fire in the engine room. The captain subsequently ordered the crew to abandon ship and evacuate onto lifeboats. They were later rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman.
A total of 20 crew members have been safely brought ashore at Khasab Port, Oman. However, three crew members remain missing and are believed to have been in the engine room at the time of the incident while on duty. Search and rescue operations are currently underway with support from relevant authorities.
At 1:46 p.m., Precious Shipping Public Company Limited confirmed that 20 crew members had been rescued, while the remaining three are still being searched for as efforts continue.
The Marine Department has urgently coordinated with both domestic and international agencies as follows:
- Assigned officials to join a meeting with the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) in Singapore and coordinated with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) to liaise with naval forces in the area to support rescue efforts;
- Coordinated with the Royal Thai Navy, with the Chief of Naval Staff instructing the Naval Operations Center to work with Bahrain’s military authorities to support the mission;
- Coordinated with the Office of Aviation and Maritime Search and Rescue to engage the local Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in search and rescue operations;
- Coordinated with the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC);
- Coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to provide diplomatic support and assistance to the Thai crew.
The Director-General of the Marine Department has also ordered the establishment of a situation monitoring center to closely coordinate assistance for the affected Thai crew, while continuously monitoring developments and reporting updates to relevant agencies. (PRD)
