Freighter sinks in Singapore Strait after collision with chemical tanker; 6 still missing

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December 17, 2015

SINGAPORE — A freighter bearing the Antigua and Barbuda flag sank in the Singapore Strait last night (Dec 16) after a collision with a Cayman Islands-registered chemical tanker.

Six out of 12 members of the freighter’s crew have been rescued, while search and rescue operations for the remaining freighter crew members are still on-going, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a statement past midnight today. There was no Singaporean crew member on either ves

The incident had occurred at 8.14pm in Indonesian waters, 11km north-west of Batam. The freighter, named “Thorco Cloud”, was carrying 560 metric tonnes of bunker fuel. The chemical tanker, named “Stolt Commitment”, sustained minor damage, but is in stable condition, said the MPA.

Two patrol craft were deployed by the MPA for search and rescue operations. The Police Coast Guard (PCG) also deployed five boats.

Indonesian authorities were also alerted of the incident by the MPA and have commenced search and rescue operations. The MPA is assisting the Indonesian authorities to survey and mark the sunken freighter to ensure navigational safety.

Five of the freighter crew members were rescued by the PCG, with the other crew member rescued by the chemical tanker.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/freighter-sinks-singapore-strait-after-collision-chemical-tanker-6-still-missing

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‏@WalkerTravelers

The freighter, which was bearing the Antigua and Barbuda flag, was carrying 560 metric tonnes of bunker fuel w… http://bit.ly/1UBiKkp

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