Trawler sinks off Koh Racha Yai

KOH RACHA YAI: Crew on board the Sang Samut scrambled on top of their upturned hull yesterday morning as their 40-foot fishing boat sunk in rough seas off Koh Racha Yai.

Sopon Sukkarin, vice-chairman of Koh Racha Yai Conservation and Prevention Network Club, told the Gazette, “The boat started taking on water the night before, when there were torrential downpours and big waves. The 10 crewmen had already called another boat for help and to be towed to shore.”

“They were towed to the east side of the island, but the boat started to slowly sink about 9 am. The crew finally abandoned ship and boarded the fishing boat that had towed them,” he said.

Khun Sopon said that the Marine Police and the Third Naval Area Command had been notified. “They have contacted the owner of Sang Samut and arranged to try to refloat her when the heavy conditions subside,” he said.

“The boat is valued at about 3 million baht, and she is now sunk just 150 meters from the eastern coast of the island,” K. Sopon added.