Bodies of ferry sinking victims recovered

PHANG NGA: Rescue workers yesterday afternoon pulled the bodies of a woman and her nine-year-old granddaughter from the sunken car ferry Jern Jern, which capsized about 1 am on Tuesday off Koh Pratong, Kuraburi District in Phang Nga.

All bodies have now been recovered from the sinking, which claimed three lives.

Pol Maj Nirat Chuayjit of the Marine Police office in Kuraburi earlier told the Gazette that the flat-topped ferry, about 20 meters in length, was overloaded with construction materials and equipment when it capsized.

The body of ferry captain Roheem Waewwannajit, 56, was found floating in the water about 10 am yesterday not far from where Jern Jern sank.

The bodies of the final two victims, Duangporn Petchsungnern and her nine-year-old granddaughter Sirintip Na Takuathung, were recovered by divers about 2:45 pm yesterday.

They were trapped in the engine room when the vessel listed and sank, Maj Nirat said.

Jern Jern now lies in about seven meters of water off Haad Sai Khao in Tambon Bang. It sank while preparing to berth after a seven-kilometer voyage from Baan Thung La Ong on the mainland, he said.

The vessel had a load capacity of 50 tons, but was carrying an estimated 70 to 80 tons of vehicles laden with construction materials when it listed and sank, he added.

The cargo comprised building materials, such as rock and cement, as well as an extended-cab pickup truck and an excavator, he said.

The vessel was hired to ferry the cargo to Baan Pak Jok on Koh Pratong, where a project to build permanent homes for tsunami survivors is underway, Maj Nirat explained.

Five people were aboard the vessel when it sank. Two survived.