capsized - Shipwreck Log

Fortune Life

November 27, 2015 Paul Hancock

The 110 meter long cargo vessel Fortune Life sank in the South China Sea off Vigan City, Philippines. The Fortune Life was headed to Kuching, Malaysia from Taiwan in heavy seas when it suffered water ingress in the engine room. Unable to control the flooding, the crew evacuated the engine room. The Fortune Life lost power and went adrift. The crew requested assistance and the Philippine Coast Guard dispatched two vessels to the scene while three nearby cargo vessels aided in the search and rescue efforts. Reports state the tanker Ashley rescued six crew of the Fortune Life while two other crewmen were also rescued. There were still 11 crew members who were still reported missing. Survivors state the Fortune Life had capsized and sank a short time after the vessel lost power.

Hua Chun 19

November 19, 2015 Paul Hancock

The 90 meter long cargo vessel Hua Chun 19 capsized and sank in the Yellow Sea off Qingdao, China. The Hua Chun 19 had departed from Qingdao with 4000 tons of steel bound for Guangdong. Some 70 miles from Qingdao, the vessel suffered a cargo shift causing the vessel to capsize and sink in just a few minutes. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation and pulled 5 survivors from the water. All had suffered hypothermia and were taken to hospital. Authorities also pulled 2 bodies of crewmen who had drowned. Four additional men were still reported missing. An oil sheen was spotted near the sinking. Authorities dispatched a pollution control vessel to the scene.

Wihan Sejahtera

November 16, 2015 Paul Hancock

The 120 meter long, 3716 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Wihan Sejahtera capsized and sank in Lamong Bay just outside the terminal at Surabaya, Indonesia. The Wihan Sejahtera had departed with over 200 passengers and crew bound for Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara when it struck some submerged object. The ferry had suffered some hull damage with water ingress and had a developed a list to starboard.

https://youtu.be/yVvSJOMOABA

The Wihan Sejahtera decided to turn back and head back to port. As the ferry headed back, the list increased as the cargo of vehicles shifted. Passengers and crew climbed over the listing hull and jumped into the sea while others clung to the port hull awaiting rescue.

Reports state some 163 passengers and 29 crew were rescued as nearby fishing vessels, patrol boats and tugs arrived quickly on scene. Over 25 persons were taken to hospital with several having severe injuries. The wihan Sejahtera eventually rolled over and sank in 16 meters of water. Authorities have continued search and rescue operations and will send divers into the overturn hull. Reports state the vessel was overloaded as the official number on board was listed as 153 persons.