5-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) A tugboat has sunk in Singapore’s Eastern Anchorage, leaving one crew member dead and another missing. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported on Wednesday that the vessel, identified as OSHIO, went down at approximately 2:15 pm within Singapore’s port limits.
The incident triggered an immediate response from local authorities. The Police Coast Guard (PCG) successfully rescued one of the two crew members aboard at the time of the sinking. The 39-year-old man was swiftly transported to hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
A comprehensive search and rescue operation is currently underway for the second crew member. The MPA is coordinating this effort in conjunction with the PCG and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The combined resources of these agencies are being deployed in a race against time to locate the missing individual.
In addition to the search efforts, the MPA has taken proactive steps to address the sunken vessel. Salvage divers have been dispatched to pinpoint the exact location of the tugboat, a crucial step in planning and executing salvage operations. The authority is also broadcasting navigational warnings, urging all vessels in the vicinity to steer clear of the affected area to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts.
The MPA has assured the public that, as of now, no oil pollution has been detected as a result of the incident. This is a small relief in an otherwise grim situation, as environmental concerns often compound the tragedy of maritime accidents.
