A HELICOPTER and HTMS Hua Hin were sent to rescue nine fishermen after their boat capsized then sank upon being hit by huge waves near Koh Racha Yai which is just off Phuket’s southernmost tip, Amarin TV said this evening (Aug. 12).
At around 2.50 p.m. Thai Marine Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 was alerted by Port In Port Out Control Centre (PIPO) that the fishing boat W. Chokmana 1 was unable to withstand the force of huge waves while returning to shore and sank after capsizing behind Koh Racha Yai with nine crewmembers missing but all wearing life jackets.
VADM Suwat Donsakul, the command centre’s director, quickly dispatched a helicopter and HTMS Hua Hin to search and rescue the fishermen with relevant agencies also alerted of the maritime mishap.
Fortunately before the ship reached the area where the fishermen were floating in the sea another fishing boat, Chai Trakan, had picked them up. HTMS Hua Hin then brought all of them to the Third Naval Area Command.
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Top and Front Page: The fishing boat that capsized after being knocked by huge waves off Phuket then sank. Photos: Amarin TV
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