Thai navy insists there were sufficient life jackets on ill-fated HTMS Sukhothai

[webfact]

 

The Naval Supply Department has insisted that there were 130 life jackets on board HTMS Sukhothai for the 105 crew members when it sank off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 18th, said Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet.

 

He said an investigation team is in the process of determining why some of the men had claimed that they did not have life jackets, adding that the Royal Thai Navy will be able settle this controversial issue with the public.

 

Regarding the cause of the sinking of the vessel, he said initial findings show that the ship took on water and listed heavily because the water could not be pumped out fast enough.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-navy-insists-there-were-sufficient-life-jackets-on-ill-fated-htms-sukhothai/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-02-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[nauseus]

Each answer seems to prompt another question. Very sad. 

[Geoffggi]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Regarding the cause of the sinking of the vessel, he said initial findings show that the ship took on water and listed heavily because the water could not be pumped out fast enough.

The burning question is WHY did the vessel take on water, the answer has to be because they water tight hatches were not secured correctly - QED

[internationalism]

So why ship captain ordered to use storyfoam boxes and other objects to be used?

why emergency rafts were not deployed?  
I think one of rafts self deployed and floating empty. 

[jaywalker]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

The burning question is WHY did the vessel take on water, the answer has to be because they water tight hatches were not secured correctly - QED

Yes. A life jacket is useless if one is in the bowels if a large ship going down.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He said an investigation team is in the process of determining why some of the men had claimed that they did not have life jackets, adding that the Royal Thai Navy will be able settle this controversial issue with the public.

So do we the public believe the men in the water trying to stay alive or the word of the Commander-in-Chief?

[Tropposurfer]

If the ship took on water rapidly then unless you're standing right next to a lift preserver rack and even then perhaps not enough time to put one on, and you can't swim well, then the result is as it was.

 

The original images (previously posted on A.N.) I saw of the ship before she listed to starboard as in this pic were of whole sections of the steel side plating just forward of amidships seemed to be delaminating.

Such a catastrophic breach in the hull structure (if this in fact was the case) it would make entry of the sea into compartments extremely rapid, powerful, and violent.

Anyone here ever been on or seen a boat/ship sink first hand for such a catastrophic hull breach?  I have and its extremely quick.

[klauskunkel]

Regarding the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, initial findings show that had he been on board the ship would not have sunk, because he is full of air.

[ignore it]

I'm sure they'll find them all properly stowed in the proper space ready for inspection. (If they bother to raise the ship)

Edited February 13, 2023 by ignore it

[BritScot]

Yes sure there were! Sure the captain was the best in the fleet (or that money could buy/connected)! Sure all the hatches were secure. Sure the order to abandon ship was given in a clear and commanding manor from his life boat well clear of the ship.... just saying!!! 

[Cake Monster]

7 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

The burning question is WHY did the vessel take on water, the answer has to be because they water tight hatches were not secured correctly - QED

Another urgent question has to be why , if there were enough Life Vests, were they not deployed.

Poor systems put in place for emergency evac ? , Poor Command chain ? , or were they simply locked away in a locker and nobody could find the Key ? Was each one numbered and had to be assigned to a Sailor for its safe return ?

For what ever reason, if there were enough Life Vests, why was the Mortality rate so high in this tragedy

 

[scorecard]

13 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

The burning question is WHY did the vessel take on water, the answer has to be because they water tight hatches were not secured correctly - QED

Sure, and why were the pumps ineffective.

 

Further, how come it's taken week to respond to the claims that there weren't enough life jackets on board?

 

Is he perhaps saying that enough life jackets had been issued to the veseel but not saying anything about where they located / meaning no substantive clear statement whether they were in a nearby storeroom or actually on the vessel?

Edited February 13, 2023 by scorecard

[spidermike007]

What they really need to be investigating is why Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet still has his job. In most nations, he would have been immediately replaced with someone competent. 

 

It doesn't matter what he says at this point. He is Mr. Zero Credibility.