Squid fishing boat sinks near Koh Chun near Pattaya, two rescued
Two men survived a perilous experience at sea after their boat sank during a squid fishing trip near Koh Chun in Na Kluea, Pattaya. The incident unfolded in the evening, with a distress call received at 10.06pm on Sunday, September 15, reporting tourists adrift.
Marine rescue teams, including the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Team and Pattaya Special Affairs Officers, quickly responded. They found the two survivors, 35 year old Jakkapan Sombat and 45 year old Sumit already rescued and brought to the beach near the marine rescue centre.
Both men were exhausted after spending over four hours floating in the sea. First aid was administered, and they were then taken to the hospital for further medical care.
Jakkapan recounted the terrifying ordeal to The Pattaya News, explaining that they had ventured out in their 18-foot fibreglass boat to catch squid. A sudden storm struck, bringing strong winds and waves that quickly overwhelmed their boat, causing it to sink and leaving them stranded.
In a moment of quick thinking, Jakkapan retrieved a water bottle from the boat’s storage compartment, emptied it, and used it as a flotation device. This makeshift buoy kept them afloat several kilometres from shore. Despite the shifting winds, they drifted until they spotted the marine rescue centre and began shouting for help.
Their cries for assistance were heard by 47 year old Udomsak Wirasuk, who noticed the men waving amid the strong waves. He navigated his boat to rescue them and alerted the police, reported Pattaya News.
The boat remains underwater, but recovery efforts are underway.
In related news, amid a severe storm, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Trang province, resulting in the tragic death of a woman while her husband survived. The incident occurred on July 17, when the couple was returning to shore while navigating the high waves.
