Collision off Hải Phòng
On the morning of April 8, the 120 meter long, 13762 dwt cargo vessel Hosei Crown (IMO: 9543926) collided in the Gulf of Bắc Bộ with the fishing vessel TH 92686 TS off Hải Phòng, Vietnam. The Hosei Crown struck the TH 92686 TS causing the fishing vessel to quickly sink and sending its 12 man crew into the water.
Vietnam authorities received a distress call and alerted nearby vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The Hosei Crown also assisted by releasing life rafts in the area. Authorities deployed the rescue vessel SAR 411 to search the area where the fishing vessel sank. After several hours of searching, 8 crew of the TH 92686 TS had been safely rescued from the water. Unfortunately, four crew perished when the fishing vessel sank and their bodies would be later recovered.
The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state there was fog in the area at the time of the incident.