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TechNICAL
RESCUE AT SEA
MG Neptune in search and
rescue operation, saves two
It’s not every day that a ship gets called on to assist in a
search and rescue operation at sea, but it can and does
happen on occasion. This January 12 was one such occasion
for the Anglo-Eastern managed MV MG Neptune and her
crew while en route from Singapore to Vietnam.
One of the two men rescued by the MG Neptune on January 12
Around 14:30 that day, some two hours
after leaving the Singapore Straits for Cai
Mep, the MG Neptune received a “to all
ships” alert from another vessel about a
capsized fishing boat and an estimated
nine men overboard. The distress location
was relatively nearby, being only 5 nautical
miles (about 9km) off course, so Capt.
Oleksandr Bilotserkovets took the decision
to divert the ship to provide search and
rescue assistance.
As the MG Neptune neared the incident
position around 16:45, the ship dropped
its speed and posted additional crew
to the bridge and forecastle to serve as
lookouts. Three other ships were found to
be on the scene, and within 15 minutes,
one had luckily managed to reportedly
rescue eight individuals. The search and
rescue operation nevertheless continued,
and just as well, for at 17:10 two additional
men were sighted by the MG Neptune’s
AB Melfred Cabales.
Both men were observed to be adrift
without lifejackets, using only a wooden
crate as a flotation device. An alarm
was raised and the MG Neptune
commenced rescue operations by carefully
manoeuvring the ship alongside the two
men and forming a standby rescue team.
At 17:46, tethered life buoys and a pilot
ladder were lowered to the men, who
were eventually able to climb up to the
deck with crew assistance.
The two survivors, both in their thirties,
could not speak any English and carried
no identification on them, but it was
ascertained that they were Vietnamese.
Both were found to be suffering from
mild to moderate hypothermia, but were
otherwise in good health and uninjured.
Appropriate first aid was given and all
necessary contacts and authorities notified
accordingly.
While the rescued men remained under
medical observation, the ship continued
on to Cai Mep, arriving on January 15,
where the two survivors were handed
over to the Vietnam MRCC for safe
passage home. The officials expressed
their gratitude to Capt. Bilotserkovets
and his crew, presenting them with a
commemorative plaque for their efforts –
a very proud moment for the crew
and indeed for all of us at Anglo-Eastern.
Well done!
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