On September 18, the 79 meter long cargo vessel An Binh Phat 68 (MMSI: 574014535) capsized and sank off Thang Binh, Vietnam. The An Binh Phat 68 was en route to Ky Ha, Quang Ngai with 4000 tons of crushed stone when it lost stability amidst strong winds and high waves. The master of the An Binh Phat 68 alerted authorities the vessel was in distress and requested assistance. Before any rescue could be attempted, the cargo vessel developed a 45 degree list to port further allowing water ingress into its hold. The An Binh Phat 68 was in danger of sinking and the eight crew abandoned ship onto the vessel’s two life rafts. The Vietnam Coast Guard dispatched one of their vessel’s to the scene. The Coast Guard was later able to recover all 8 crew from the life rafts. No reports of injuries.
Reports state the An Binh Phat 68 did completely sink. Authorities had requested the master of the An Binh Phat 68 to close all the valves to the fuel tanks before abandoning it, but no confirmation if this prevented any pollution being released.
