Dramatic Rescue at Sea: 30 Tourists Pulled to Safety After Catamaran Sinks Off Phuket

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

Thirty lives were saved in a dramatic sea rescue after a tourist catamaran, the Emiray 888, began taking on water on January 13 and eventually sank near Racha Island. The vessel, which had departed from Chalong Pier in Phuket earlier in the day for a one-day excursion to Racha Island, encountered trouble approximately 1.6 nautical miles off the island’s northern coast.

 

The incident occurred as the catamaran, carrying 38 people, started to fill with water under as-yet-undetermined circumstances. Passengers, including tourists and crew members, were left stranded in the open sea. Fortunately, all passengers were wearing life jackets, which helped keep them afloat while they awaited rescue.

 

The Phuket Tourist Police were immediately notified of the emergency and swiftly coordinated with the Marine Rescue Centre and other authorities. Speedboats from nearby tour companies joined forces with official patrol boats to assist in the rescue operation.

 

Thanks to the quick response of rescue teams and nearby vessels, all 38 individuals onboard were brought to safety. No injuries were reported, and passengers were transported back to the mainland for medical checks and further assistance.

 

Eyewitness accounts praised the professionalism and speed of the rescuers. “It was terrifying to see the boat sinking, but the rescue teams arrived quickly, and we felt safe,” one tourist recounted.

 

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting structural or mechanical failure as the possible reason for the sudden water ingress.

 

 

-- 2025-01-13

 

[snoop1130]

Catamaran catastrophe avoided: Foreign tourists saved off Phuket

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

By Bob Scott

 

Disaster was narrowly averted today as a catamaran carrying 38 foreign tourists capsized off the coast of Phuket, prompting a panicked scramble before nearby speedboats rushed to the rescue.

 

At around 1pm today, January 13, the catamaran Emiray 888 found itself in deep trouble. As it set sail from Chalong Pier in Phuket’s Mueang district for a day trip to Racha Island, water began seeping in, causing the vessel to slowly sink 1.6 nautical miles north of Racha Island.

 

Aboard were 33 Chinese tourists, two tour guides, and three crew members.

 

Responding swiftly, the regional rescue centre coordinated a successful rescue mission with officials and nearby patrol boats. Speedboats and tour boats from neighbouring companies responded heroically, managing to save everyone on board. Thankfully, all the tourists were wearing life jackets at the time, ensuring their safety.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Tourist Police wasted no time, collaborating with the Port Authority and other relevant agencies to offer the necessary support to affected tourists. Amarin TV reported that a dedicated task force with volunteer interpreters was assembled at Chalong Pier to assist and reassure the rescued tourists.

 

Investigations are now underway into the legitimacy of the tour company and guides, with police also liaising with the Chinese Consulate to keep them informed about the incident. Amidst the chaos, this successful rescue operation stands as a testament to the swift, coordinated response of those involved.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-13

 

 

[ChipButty]

It always happens to the Chinese, the weather doesn't seem that bad today although a bit dull here in Rawai, 

[ikke1959]

Soft power to attrack tourists..... Everything safe in Thailand, don't worry

[Kinok Farang]

Unconfirmed reports say all the Chinese passengers ran to one side of the catamaran when the buffet was served.

[thaigirlwatcher1]

Just now, Kinok Farang said:

Unconfirmed reports say all the Chinese passengers ran to one side of the catamaran when the buffet was served.

Were they serving shrimp? That's when the Chinese loose their minds!

[Jack Hammer]

Sinking of vessels at sea can easily happen. My uncle drowned in his home-made submarine. When launched he forgot to close the back door.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thanks to the quick response of rescue teams and nearby vessels, all 38 individuals onboard were brought to safety. No injuries were reported, and passengers were transported back to the mainland for medical checks and further assistance.

All aboard the good ship Emiray 888....  ohhh where's all that water coming from?

[newbee2022]

Since sails were not set the accident seems strange. 

Are there no watertight bulkheads and compartments to close when water comes in? 

Or was it a DIY catamaran?

RTP will tell us.

[GammaGlobulin]

Why are they speaking Chinese in the attached video of this sinking?

Is this a Chinese vessel?

Probably not.

 

 

In my opinion....

 

Somebody forgot to close a seaCOCK.

 

I would bet on it.

 

===========

 

a.  Probably the boat was perfectly seaworthy 

b. However, the skipper forgot to thoroughly go through his checklist before setting to sea.

c.  This is the reason for checklists.

 

 

 

[kwaussie]

38 people on board seems a lot for the size of the boat?

[Tarteso]

15 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why are they speaking Chinese in the attached video of this sinking?

Is this a Chinese vessel?

Probably not.

 

 

In my opinion....

 

Somebody forgot to close a seaCOCK.

 

I would bet on it.

 

..Forgot Brake failure, speeding,?

🤔

[thesetat]

30 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why are they speaking Chinese in the attached video of this sinking?

Is this a Chinese vessel?

Probably not.

 

probably ran into one of the garbage piles floating that I always see when i am on a boat in the Thailand seas.

 

[kuzmabruk]

33 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

checklists

Checklist was in English

[GammaGlobulin]

21 minutes ago, thesetat said:

probably ran into one of the garbage piles floating that I always see when i am on a boat in the Thailand seas.

 

 

I had also considered a submerged 40-foot container, one fallen from a container ship.

 

If a container, then probably one that was shipped out of China.

 

Therefore, what goes around, comes around.

 

[Asquith Production]

Not sure ure how large this boat is but it looks far to small for the amount of people on board. 

[wavodavo]

1 hour ago, Jack Hammer said:

Sinking of vessels at sea can easily happen. My uncle drowned in his home-made submarine. When launched he forgot to close the back door.

It was only a screen door.

[wavodavo]

14 hours ago, ChipButty said:

It always happens to the Chinese, the weather doesn't seem that bad today although a bit dull here in Rawai, 

I can't believe that there were enough life jackets for all passengers. the last Thai boat I was on to Phi Phi there were about 100 on board and I could only see 6. When I asked a crew member where are all the life jackets he replied  "don't need this good boat not sink.".

[CANSIAM]

1 hour ago, Kinok Farang said:

Unconfirmed reports say all the Chinese passengers ran to one side of the catamaran when the buffet was served.

A great sense of humour for sure lol.....

[rupa]

38 people on this type of boat it is at least 3 times to much... money is the problem

[Hanuman2547]

I'm glad that they actually had enough flotation devices for all of the people on board.  Back in the day you would be hard pressed to find any on the boat.

[edwinchester]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why are they speaking Chinese in the attached video of this sinking?

Is this a Chinese vessel?

Probably not.

 

 

In my opinion....

 

Somebody forgot to close a seaCOCK.

 

I would bet on it.

 

===========

 

a.  Probably the boat was perfectly seaworthy 

b. However, the skipper forgot to thoroughly go through his checklist before setting to sea.

c.  This is the reason for checklists.

 

 

 

Speaking Chinese as there were at least 33 Chinese tourists on board.

[Elkski]

What model of cat?  I wonder if it the one with bulkhead problems.   

[potless]

1 hour ago, kwaussie said:

38 people on board seems a lot for the size of the boat?

Perhaps they followed the wrong flag.

[1happykamper]

Another day in Thailand. Absolutely no one cares. No one is really in charge in Thailand. Money for nothing and the chick's ain't free. 

 

One more safety disaster....the boat fell apart 555. 

 

One more urgent committee meeting today to address safety issues in sure. Nothing will be accomplished. The beat goes on. 

[mran66]

2 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

Sinking of vessels at sea can easily happen. My uncle drowned in his home-made submarine. When launched he forgot to close the back door.

 

Read from another news media that a window had dropped and water came in.

 

Probably an underwater window, just fixed in place with silicon thai style and dropped off. 

 

Same level stuff as your grandpa case... 

[gravia]

More Chinese now not coming to Thailand ,so some good comes from a disaster

[Peterphuket]

15 hours ago, ChipButty said:

It always happens to the Chinese, the weather doesn't seem that bad today although a bit dull here in Rawai, 

With that weather, I was no longer going out with my fishing boat

[Jack Hammer]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Since sails were not set the accident seems strange. 

Are there no watertight bulkheads and compartments to close when water comes in? 

Or was it a DIY catamaran?

RTP will tell us.

Just two boats strapped together,  An outrigger canoe in Fiji would be more seaworthy

[spidermike007]

Kudos to the marine authorities for a quick response. This could have been quite a disaster.