Phoenix Rising: Wind and waves delay refloating sunken tour boat

By The Phuket News

 

All the tethers have been attached, but the wind and waves have so far made it too dangerous to raise the boat. Photo: PR Dept

 

PHUKET:-- Strong winds and large waves have continued to delay the refloating of the sunken tour boat Phoenix, which sank in a storm on July 5 with 89 tourists on board. In total, 47 Chinese tourists were killed in the disaster.

 

The Phoenix now lies on the sea floor at a depth of 45 metres some 1.5 nautical miles off Koh Hei (Coral Island).

 

Wiwat Chitchertwong, who is currently the Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office, told The Phuket News, today (Aug 16), “All the equipment and tethers have been attached, but some of them still need to be positioned in the place so the boat can be safely raised to the surface.”

 

Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phoenix-rising-wind-and-waves-delay-refloating-sunken-tour-boat-68273.php#demo#Bt4ytywvSxgLPI73.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-8-16

If they didn't raise it this morning, it looks like they've missed their small window to get the job done.

The weather is turning again, and I see they've just issued boating warnings effective until next week.

2 hours ago, Old Croc said:

If they didn't raise it this morning, it looks like they've missed their small window to get the job done.

The weather is turning again, and I see they've just issued boating warnings effective until next week.

Yes, there was a swell yesterday, but nothing too bad. Next days will be much more difficult.

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Yes, there was a swell yesterday, but nothing too bad. Next days will be much more difficult.

OK, got the real reason.

 

The support boat was not available yesterday due to this not being planned in advance, the project was supposed to be finished already. Without support boat and support divers they couldn't go ahead yesterday, despite the good weather.

Has it been raised yet?

4 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

Has it been raised yet?

Working on it again today.