On January 23, the 26 meter long tugboat MCL Power III with a barge under tow ran aground in the South China Sea near Kandis, Kelantan, Malaysia. The MCL Power III was proceeding to Johor with 5800 tons of limestone in stormy conditions. The storm caused the MCL Power III to become uncontrollable and the vessels were pushed ashore. No reports of injuries.
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.
The fishing vessel TS 97799 exploded and sunk in the South China Sea off Vung Tau, Vietnam. The vessel suffered the explosion in the galley from a cooking gas cylinder. Reports state only 4 of the 20 crew were later rescued. Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation for the remaining missing crew.