Container Ship Sinks off Phuket: Thai Navy Rescues 16 Seafarers

Credit: Royal Thai Navy

A Panamanian-flagged container ship sank off the coast of Phuket on February 7, prompting a rapid rescue operation by the Royal Thai Navy and local authorities. All 16 crewmembers were safely evacuated shortly before the vessel went under, avoiding casualties in what could have become a major maritime disaster.

The incident involved the MV Sealloyd Arc, a 6,500-DWT, 115-meter boxship en route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram, Bangladesh. During the passage, the crew reported severe water ingress and a growing list. As the ship’s stability deteriorated and the risk of capsizing increased, the master ordered an emergency abandonment. Details of the rescue were later reported by The Maritime Telegraph.

At around 21:00 local time, approximately three nautical miles south of Phuket, the vessel sank. A nearby fishing boat, supported by a patrol craft from the Phuket Provincial Administration, picked up all 16 seafarers. Authorities confirmed that the crew, all Bangladeshi nationals, sustained no injuries.

At the time of the sinking, the Sealloyd Arc was carrying 229 containers, including 14 units loaded with hazardous materials. While most containers went down with the hull, several were seen drifting in the area, posing a navigational risk to commercial and coastal traffic.

Environmental concerns emerged soon after the incident. Aerial surveillance detected an oil slick measuring about 4.5 miles in length and more than one mile in width, extending westward from the wreck site. The Royal Thai Navy has deployed patrol boats and reconnaissance aircraft to monitor pollution and mark floating debris.

Maritime incident

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