An unsung hero in the tragic end of HTMS Sukhothai

[snoop1130]

 

In almost every disaster, there is usually at least one hero, someone who cares more for other people’s safety than their own and who does not hesitate to help, even at the risk of their own life.  The tragic sinking of HTMS Sukhothai is no exception. The aging corvette class Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ship foundered on Sunday night in rough seas off Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

 

Kunakorn Jariyot, chief petty officer first class (CPO1), is a medic serving on HTMS Sukhothai. He went missing after he and two other crew were rescued and taken on board HTMS Kraburi, but he decided to jump into the sea again, with a life vest borrowed from one of the survivors, to help others who were still drifting at sea on Sunday night. He has not been seen since and yesterday (Wednesday) he was listed among the 23 crew still missing.

 

Fondly called “Torn Mor” by the seamen, Kunakorn is a nurse who completed study at the RTN’s nursing school. He was always seen carrying a big bag full of medical supplies, no matter how heavy it was, according to one of the surviving seamen. He was carrying the bag when he was in the water.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/an-unsung-hero-in-the-tragic-end-of-htms-sukhothai/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-22

 

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[smedly]

seems to me the real disaster was that this vessel was poorly maintained and was not seaworthy - who gets the blame for that ?

[jonclark]

In a rescue situation putting oneself back in danger by jumping back into the water, in this instance, is a stupid thing to do. I hope he is found safe and well (again). 

[jcmj]

Very saddening that he is missing after going out to try to save others. Leave no man behind. Shame others didn’t try to help as well, or aren’t mentioned. 

[kingstonkid]

Unless you actually see someone in the water it is a bad move to jump in and start looking for them.  It is a big ocean and ships and aviation can do more than a guy swimming around 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

Unless you actually see someone in the water it is a bad move to jump in and start looking for them.  It is a big ocean and ships and aviation can do more than a guy swimming around 

True of course but let's still have some respect for his attempt to care for the safety of others...

[newnative]

Where were the actual trained rescue military in all this?  Seems the rescue effort by trained rescue military was too little, too late.

[kingstonkid]

15 minutes ago, newnative said:

Where were the actual trained rescue military in all this?  Seems the rescue effort by trained rescue military was too little, too late.

They were there and dong the rescue as much as they could.

 

I have a feeling that some of the missing may still be on the ship unfortunately.

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

True of course but let's still have some respect for his attempt to care for the safety of others...

I respect the thought and the man although I find that it may show a lack of training.  

[johnbarpic]

A lot of comments here from those with no knowledge of seamanship or the perils of the sea. oss of power at sea renders you in a very precarious position no matter how highly trained of the crew or the size of the vessel. 

[Mansell]

Very sad he jumped back overboard without any safety harness etc. I was trained in the Royal Navy as a swimmer of the watch. We were created for this job as it was considered safer to put one man in the sea instead of a boat full of men in rough seas etc. I would be wearing a full dry suit and a harness with a rope running back to the ship. Fortunately I never had to save anyone, but lots of practice. I doubt this position probably isn’t available in the Thai navy.

[proton]

What a surprise, they found a selfless Thai hero to deflect from the balls up of sinking a ship with not even enough life jackets, shameless.

[bangon04]

11 hours ago, jonclark said:

In a rescue situation putting oneself back in danger by jumping back into the water, in this instance, is a stupid thing to do. I hope he is found safe and well (again). 

the photo does not show if he is wearing his lucky amulet......

[Lopchan]

9 hours ago, proton said:

What a surprise, they found a selfless Thai hero to deflect from the balls up of sinking a ship with not even enough life jackets, shameless.

.

[proton]

3 minutes ago, Lopchan said:

You sad, sad man

Not as sad as the families of the missing due to incompetence 

[kingstonkid]

On 12/23/2022 at 1:05 PM, johnbarpic said:

A lot of comments here from those with no knowledge of seamanship or the perils of the sea. oss of power at sea renders you in a very precarious position no matter how highly trained of the crew or the size of the vessel. 

I agree with what you are saying but a three things have happened that make me query how trained they were.

 

First is the Nurse diving back into the water. Well trained would not be doing that he would be triaging and looking after those that had been rescued and recovered. 

 

The other is the sailor that is standing on the ship and calls his father, who is not a sailor, to ask what he should do.

 

Then the last thing is the fact that there were not enough life jackets on the ship and or people did not know where or how to wear them.

 

While yes I am sure there was training it seems that there was or is a lack of either training or practice.

 

In the Cdn Military, we are drilled and drilled practice and practice for these things.  Working on the ship the drills were continuous.  In the Airforce working in a hospital again, the crash drills were on a monthly basis.

 

In all caes, it was not having to ask but knowing exactly what you had to do r what your job was in these circumstances it became second nature.