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Category: Sank

Trisha Kerstin 3

Trisha Kerstin 3

Trisha Kerstin 3

On the early morning of January 26, the 48 meter long, 250 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 (IMO: 9125516) sank in the Sulu Sea approximately one nautical mile off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, Philippines.  The Trisha Kerstin 3 had departed from Zamboanga with 332 passengers and 27 crew bound for Jolo Island. Reports state the ferry was making a regular voyage when it reported technical problem. The crew sent out a distress call stating the vessel had suffered a serious technical problem. The ferry had suffered water ingress and developed a list. The crew distributed out life vests to the passengers who had to move evacuated from the lower decks to the upper decks as the vessel sank.

The vessel’s safety officer alerted Philippine authorities which launched a search and rescue operation. The Philippine Coast Guard and Navy deployed vessels to the area. The rescuers were aided by aircraft and local fishing boats in the area. The Coast Guard stated that rescuers were able to save 316 passengers. They also stated that 15 bodies were recovered. The search was ongoing for the missing 28 people on board.

Trisha Kerstin 3
Photo: inquirer.net

The cause of the incident is under investigation. There was some speculation the water ingress was caused by a strap snapping allowing a vehicle to break free on the lower deck. There is also some confusion around weather conditions at the time of the sinking. Some accounts stated the weather was fair, but others stated there were strong waves before the Trisha Kerstin 3 sank.

Devon Bay

Devon Bay

Devon Bay

On the morning of January 23, the 190 meter long, 56095 dwt bulk carrier Devon Bay (IMO: 9622849) capsized in the West Philippine Sea approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc/Scarborough Shoal. The Devon Bay was en route to Yangjiang from Gutalac, Zamboanga loaded with iron ore when it suffered a cargo shift and developed a list.  As the list increased to 25 degrees, the crew sent out a distress call before abandoning ship into life rafts. A short time later, the Devon Bay capsized and sank.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin along with two aircraft to search the area where the Devon Bay was last reported.  The Chinese Coast Guard had patrol vessels near Scarborough Shoal and began a search and rescue for the crew. By midday, the Chinese Coast Guard reported to have recovered 17 of the 21 of the crew.  Two of the crew had perished and one was in critical condition.  The remaining four crew were still reported as missing.

 

Rona

Rona

Rona
Photo: The Rona formerly named the Oban

On 14 January, the 114 meter long, 3262 dwt Rona (IMO: 8301852) sank in the Caspian Sea off the Turkmenistan coast. The Rona departed from Iran to Astrakhan when it sent out a distress call that the vessel had suffered water ingress and required assistance. The Turkmenistan Coast Guard responded and rescued all 14 crew off the cargo vessel.

Ukrainian news have suggested that the Rona had been involved with transporting Iranian weapons to Russia. There have been no details on what cargo was on board the cargo vessel at the time of the sinking. There were no further details released by the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

A fake photo of the Rona sinking being shared on Social Media
Photo: The fake photo of the Rona shared on x.com

An unconfirmed photo was being shared on social media reported to be the Rona. However, a comparison of an older photo of the Rona indicates the photo is a fake.