Rescue mission swiftly saves sailors after catamaran hits rocks off Thailand

A maritime accident off the coast of Thailand’s Krabi province led to a swift and successful rescue mission by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Koh Lanta National Park officials last Thursday. The incident involved a Phuket-based sailing catamaran called Lady Miya, which hit a rocky outcrop on Koh Ha island, jeopardizing the safety of its six passengers.

The alert about the nautical mishap reached the headquarters of the Royal Thai Navy’s 3rd Naval Area Command (RTN 3rd NAC) just as the clock ticked past 6pm. The catamaran, carrying four foreign men and two Thai nationals—one male, one female— found itself in a perilous position after colliding with the rocks.

Fortunately, despite the violent collision, all individuals on board escaped injury. However, Lady Miya was not as lucky. The boat sustained significant damage to its port side and stern, as documented by the RTN 3rd NAC.

The ensuing rescue and salvage operation was a test of endurance and skill for the RTN 3rd NAC personnel and the Koh Lanta National Park officials. The rescue mission, which lasted until 2am on Friday, involved deploying pumps, underwater compressed air tanks, and several barrels with a capacity of 200 litres each. Their combined efforts successfully prevented Lady Miya from succumbing to the sea.

After the operation, Lady Miya was towed to a nearby port for necessary repairs. The RTN 3rd NAC report did not mention an estimated cost for the damage sustained by the boat. Also, no details were revealed as to what may have caused Lady Miya to strike the rocks, reported Phuket News.

Patong Beach in Phuket will soon witness an extensive demonstration of emergency preparedness as part of an air-sea rescue exercise. Originally scheduled for later this month, the event is one in a series highlighting the government’s dedication to ensuring tourist safety. Read more HERE.