On the evening of April 15, the 144 meter long, 20421 dwt dredger Hong Hai 16 (IMO: 8665870) capsized in the Mindoro Strait off Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The Hong Hai 16 had lost stability while dredging a short distance off the coast.
A video caught the vessel listing heavily to port before it suddenly rolled over in less than a minute. Of the 25 crew on board the sand dredger, 14 crew were able to escape and found in the water near the hull.
The Philippine Coast Guard arrived on scene and began a search and rescue operation looking for the missing crew. The initial search found the body of one crew member. Divers were brought to the site and began searching within the Hong Hai 16‘s compartments. Divers would find 3 more bodies trapped inside the vessel. The Coast Guard states there is some hope the missing crew members may be found alive possibly in the engine room.
An oil sheen was spotted around the overturned Hong Hai 16. The Coast Guard deployed booms around the stern off the hull to contain the pollution.
Authorities have contacted the vessel’s owner to start salvage operations. The Coast Guard has asked ship’s owner to hire an accredited salvor while it conducted an underwater survey and risk assessment. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
