“There weren’t enough life vests on board” – latest in the search for missing crew

[RichardColeman]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

but this time none of them functioned, because sea water leaked into the engine room

Anyone know why there seems to be a hole in ship ? Maintenance negligence ? 

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

It never seems to end. Sometimes there's just not enough jackets accessible to those who need it. 

 

Ppl get so used to the day to day life on a ship over years, that it never crosses their mind that the ship could sink. And even during incidents, they don't believe the ship is really at risk. They teach you that the ship is your safest bet. Stay with the ship. On the surface it sounds really stupid when these things happen but its a little more complicated than that. 

I can't believe someone actually penned that rot. And who might they be? 

[khunjeff]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

75 of the crew were rescued on the first day after life rafts were deployed

 

10 hours ago, anchadian said:

Navy says corvette did not launch life rafts

So which is correct? 

[billd766]

I have just read a report in the "other" newspaper, that the extra people on board were a detachment of marines who were heading back to Sattahip. It is unlikely IMO that they would have been issued with their own life vests and if they were not normally part of the ships compliment and unexpectedly shipped on board during the voyage, then the ship would not have provisioned extra life vests before it left port.

[Harsh Jones]

55 minutes ago, nauseus said:

I can't believe someone actually penned that rot. And who might they be? 

Someone who happens to watch a lot of marine incident reports on Youtube. Check it out https://www.youtube.com/@BrickImmortar

[Isaan sailor]

How much training for emergencies did the crew have? Did they know there weren’t enough flotation devices?

[Muhendis]

13 hours ago, Crossy said:

For flip's sake guys, it's a ruddy warship!! Things get a bit "bumpy" you button up tight!

 

But not having enough life preservers / rafts ...

 

What The Heck!

Yes. In bad weather, all watertight doors are supposed to be closed and all crew members are ordered to don life jackets.

[wimpy]

Court martial sounds in order. Doubt it will ever happen here though.

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

 

So which is correct? 

Well.....I wouldn't believe a word from the RTN....

[TKDfella]

Sad news indeed. My condolences to families of the dead sailors.

[superal]

58 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Yes. In bad weather, all watertight doors are supposed to be closed and all crew members are ordered to don life jackets.

Yes indeed , batten down the hatches , is the norm in rough weather . I have worked on British navy frigates and destroyers and every compartment has a heavy watertight door for a reason and that is to maintain buoyancy and not sink . Basic navy procedures that were not followed in this tragic event 

 

[mikebell]

10 hours ago, HuskerDo2 said:

It amazes me how many militaries are so poorly trained and equipped.

The Thai military train their conscripts to clean house and do the gardening for their generals.  They are loathe to fight unless the odds are more than seven to one in their favour.

[neeray]

I shudder to think of what calamities might happen if the navy ever takes possession of the Chinese submarines.

[Peterphuket]

8 hours ago, mikebike said:

I dont think you understand the difference between civilian and military law. 

They are still humans, or not?

It's the biggest shame not enough life vests.

[cracker1]

I have not read of any helicopter searches ? Has anyone else ?

[Muhendis]

20 minutes ago, neeray said:

I shudder to think of what calamities might happen if the navy ever takes possession of the Chinese submarines.

Not a problem.

Submarines are designed to sink

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Muhendis said:

Not a problem.

Submarines are designed to sink

That part they can do... they are also designed to come back up under their own steam!

[brianthainess]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“but the Styrofoam boxes containing the life vests could be used as floatation devices”.

Good luck hanging on to that in high winds and seas even if you could grab it before was it is blown away.

Thaitanic.

[Muhendis]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

That part they can do... they are also designed to come back up under their own steam!

Agreed, but steam?

 

[brianthainess]

34 minutes ago, superal said:

Yes indeed , batten down the hatches , is the norm in rough weather .

We used to 'batten down the hatches' just coming into port.

[Partenavia]

Having spent a significant amount of time at sea in command of Tankers, and also having sailed around the world in a small boat. I am absolutely appalled at the standard of reporting and news releases from the Thai Navy.

Ships to not sink in the weather experienced by this vessel, unless there is something fundamentally wrong with the ship. It requires a catastrophic event  for a vessel to sink. 

It's time accurate reporting and serious questions put to the authorities, as to a proper account as to what happened. Too many have died for it to be brushed under the carpet.

I guess this being Thailand those cupalable will not be brought to justice.

[findlay13]

R I P sailors. I heard there are still about 2 dozen missing

[Purdey]

Empty styrofoam boxes seems to imply life jackets were sold to Pattaya banana boat operators. Or similar.

which admiral will lose his pension over this fiasco?

[scorecard]

16 hours ago, Big Bert said:

So the question is why? Not enough life vest is disgraceful.

And an obvious point; simple but usefull life vests are easy are readibly available for purchase, and quick to buy, in bulk and not expensive.

 

Surely there's a naval officer on board who is responsible to ensure there's enough life vests and many other items regarding safety and more, on board at all times.

 

Surely there's a land based part of the navy responsible to regularly/continuously monitor/check/audit the same things.

 

The actual problem is a total lack of common sense.

[scorecard]

52 minutes ago, Partenavia said:

Having spent a significant amount of time at sea in command of Tankers, and also having sailed around the world in a small boat. I am absolutely appalled at the standard of reporting and news releases from the Thai Navy.

Ships to not sink in the weather experienced by this vessel, unless there is something fundamentally wrong with the ship. It requires a catastrophic event  for a vessel to sink. 

It's time accurate reporting and serious questions put to the authorities, as to a proper account as to what happened. Too many have died for it to be brushed under the carpet.

I guess this being Thailand those cupalable will not be brought to justice.

Certainly agree about the accurate/inaccurate reporting.

 

There's been any number of reports in the media. In every report the number of missing is different, from none missing to 31 missing. 

 

I also criticize the actual media outlets for their very shoddy confused reporting. As always seems nothing is ever checked or verified. 

[Orinoco]

R.I.P boys.

The Captain should have taken better care of you all.

 

[connda]

16 hours ago, Big Bert said:

So the question is why? Not enough life vest is disgraceful.

This is a complete disgrace for a military organization that claims it is a Navy.  A "pretend Navy" at best.
The entire chain of command from the ship's captain (who is 100% responsible for everything that occurred on his ship) right up to the ranking admiral - and every officer in-between - should either resign or be discharged.

Speaking as a Navy vet:  Yeah, this is a complete, unabashed disgrace.

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, Partenavia said:

Having spent a significant amount of time at sea in command of Tankers, and also having sailed around the world in a small boat. I am absolutely appalled at the standard of reporting and news releases from the Thai Navy.

Ships to not sink in the weather experienced by this vessel, unless there is something fundamentally wrong with the ship. It requires a catastrophic event  for a vessel to sink. 

It's time accurate reporting and serious questions put to the authorities, as to a proper account as to what happened. Too many have died for it to be brushed under the carpet.

I guess this being Thailand those cupalable will not be brought to justice.

Good post, thanks.

However,I would imagine that the embarrassment of disclosing any fault with regard the RTN would be too much for the Defence Ministry to handle.

[bamnutsak]

The RTN has been the Kingdom's Military poor cousin since the Manhattan Rebellion.

 

The loss of life is horrible.

 

Hopefully the RTN head will take responsibility, share the results of a full investigation, and make changes going forward. /cough

 

 

[internationalism]

there was some 6h to organise rescue operation, before she sunk.

The first pictures were recorded before sunset, with clear skies and calm water, no waves. So it was already after she lost control and started sinking.

They were only 20 miles from shore, there was not stormy weather to employ any boats available from the shore.

And there must be many fishing trawlers and commercial boats within shorter distance.

SOS was broadcast and oil tanker replied, so they had some remaining power and that tanker should alert the navy and all ships around.

there is no chance more would be found alive, that is already over 60h. Many of those unaccounted are without vests, around half of those missing