13-1-2025 (SINGAPORE) All crew members were safely evacuated from a Malaysia-registered tanker that sank in Singaporean waters near Pedra Branca.
The vessel, Silver Sincere, issued a distress signal at approximately 3:40 pm local time when it began taking on water. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) promptly coordinated a multi-agency rescue effort, deploying assets alongside the Republic of Singapore Navy and Police Coast Guard.
In a fortuitous turn of events, the eight-member crew managed to escape the sinking vessel via life rafts. Their rescue came through the timely intervention of the Indonesian cargo vessel Intan Daya 368, which responded to the MPA’s directive to assist.
“The crew members are all in good health and will be transported to Batu Ampar, Indonesia,” an MPA spokesperson confirmed.
The authority has taken immediate precautionary measures, dispatching salvage tugs to recover the stricken vessel and deploying oil spill response craft to mitigate any potential environmental impact. Maritime traffic through the busy Singapore Strait remains unaffected, though vessels have been advised to avoid the incident site.
This rescue marks the second significant maritime operation in the region this weekend. Just 24 hours earlier, Singapore coordinated the successful rescue of 18 crew members from the Dolphin 18, a Vietnamese freighter that sank within Singapore’s maritime search and rescue jurisdiction.
Maritime experts note that such rapid response capabilities underscore Singapore’s robust maritime safety protocols in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The MPA continues to monitor the situation and has issued navigational safety advisories to ensure the security of passing vessels in the affected area.
