Panama-flagged cargo ship collides with Chinese fishing vessel south of Singapore, crew seen clinging on
In the busy waterways off Singapore’s coast, a huge bulk carrier ship crashed into a smaller Chinese fishing vessel, as captured in a recent viral video.
The impact knocked the fishing boat onto a serious tilt, with the sailors clinging on for dear life.
Water pours onto deck after fishing vessel hit by cargo ship
A video online from the Chinese fishing vessel Luqing Yuanyu 108 showed the much larger Panama-flagged First Margaux heading straight for them.
Source: surajit_ghosh2 on X
The Chinese boat’s sailors yelled out in an attempt to alert the cargo ship’s crew.
The bulk carrier shifted onto the fishing boat’s starboard side, before swivelling onto a direct collision course.
“It’s turning towards us!” One sailor exclaimed in Mandarin.
Source: surajit_ghosh2 on X
“We’ve collided!” Another crew member yelled amidst terrified shouting as the ships hit.
The cargo ship hit the right side of the fishing vessel and began to push it upwards, rolling it to the left.
Source: surajit_ghosh2 on X
Seawater poured onto the deck as the fishing boat tilted.
Crew members grabbed onto anything they could to avoid falling overboard.
Chinese fishing vessel stuck listing to one side after collision with ship
Another video after the collision showed the fishing vessel stuck on a significant list.
The impact also left large amounts of debris floating in the sea.
Source: TabzLIVE on X
Meanwhile, the First Margaux continued onwards from the accident site.
As large ships take a long time to come to a stop, it is unclear if the bulk carrier’s crew were trying to do so.
Source: TabzLIVE on X
Fishing boat caught between path of two large ships south of Singapore
Despite initial reports that the collision occurred on 20 Sept, maritime historian Salvatore Mercogliano made a post showing that it happened on 17 Sept at around 5pm Singapore time.
He stated that First Margaux was in the correct traffic separation scheme lane, south of Sentosa.
However, the map showed another bulk carrier, Gas Iris, entering the lane from starboard.
Source: mercoglianos on X
The Chinese fishing vessel was also entering the lane and happened to be caught in between the Gas Iris and the First Margaux.
“A slight turn to port could have avoided this situation but there was a turn to starboard coming up to enter Singapore,” Prof Mercogliano stated about the First Margaux.
As a result, the bulk carrier collided into the fishing vessel and sent it careening off.
Source: mercoglianos on X
The Panama Maritime Authority stated that it was investigating the collision. There are no reports of casualties thus far.
MS News has reached out to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) regarding the accident.
Also read: At least 21 injured after ferry collides with vessel in Penang
At least 21 injured after ferry collides with vessel in Penang
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Featured image adapted from surajit_ghosh2 on X and TabzLIVE on X.
