BTh 85945 TS

BTh 85945 TS
Photo: laodong.vn

On the evening of January 2, the 15 meter long fishing vessel BTh 85945 TS sank in the South China Sea at the entrance of the port of La Gi, Vietnam. The fishing vessel capsized and sank after struck by large waves. Three of the 4 crew on board were able to jump into the sea and swim ashore.

Vietnamese authorities were alerted and dispatched a response team to begin a search for the missing crew member. The search continued the next day with divers inspecting the overturn hull of the BTh 85945 TS, but there was no sign of the missing crew member. On January 4, the body of the missing person was found.

BTh 85945 TS
Photo: laodong.vn

No further details provided.

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888
Photo: Báo Tuổi Trẻ

On the early morning of January 4, the fishing vessel Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 went aground in the South China Sea at Thuyet Diem 1, Ban Tuong Commune, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 was first spotted the evening of January 3 adrift some 11 nautical miles off the coast by the Vietnamese fisheries vessel 309.  The fisheries vessel was able to board the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 and found all the doors closed and the lights were all off. A search of the vessel found there was no sign of any of the crew of the fishing vessel.

A towline was attached and the vessels proceeded, but conditions were quite difficult due to bad weather. Strong winds and heavy seas made it difficult to tow the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888. During the night the towline between the vessels broke . Unable to establish another line to the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888, the fishing vessel eventually went ashore.

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888
Photo: vietbao.vn

Authorities report they are planning to refloat and tow the fishing vessel to a safe harbor. An investigation has been launched into the incident. There were no reports of the status of the crew and circumstances to why the crew had abandoned the fishing vessel.

Qendil

Qendil
Photo: milatgazetesi.com

On the morning of January 4, the 249 meter long, 115338 dwt tanker Qendil (IMO: 9310525) ran aground in the Aegean Sea off Bozcaada Island, Çanakkale, Turkey. The crude oil tanker was headed to Yalova from Aliağa in ballast when it proceeded to the anchorage off Bozcaada.  The Çanakkale Strait Ship Traffic Services Directorate had alerted vessels in the area that strong southerly winds had impacted the strait. Authorities suspended all traffic and closed the strait to all vessels.

While waiting for conditions to improve to allow traffic to transit the strait, the Qendil was blown ashore off Polente feneri on Bozcaada Island. The tanker contacted Turkish authorities who dispatched the KEGM tugboats Kurtarma-10 (IMO: 9598593) and Kurtarma-16 (IMO: 9915052) to the area.  Reports state that salvage efforts will depend on weather condition and hull integrity of the Qendil.  There were no reports of injuries to the 26 crew on board the tanker.  Authorities continue to monitor the vessel for potential release of pollution.

The Qendil has some added concern to Turkish authorities. The tanker has been reported as part of the Russian shadow fleet.  The tanker had been attacked in December 2025 by Ukrainian forces while off Libya. Authorities have not stated the exact cause of the grounding, but there has been some speculation from various sources. Some reports have stated the Qendil was already damaged by the Ukraine attack and the grounding was intentional. However, this theory of the incident has not been confirmed by authorities. An investigation into the incident is expected.