Royal Thai Navy intercepts “Ghost Ship” near oil rig


The Royal Thai Navy has intercepted and attempted to tow a derelict freighter away from an oil platform in the Gulf of Thailand.


At about 1600 hours on January 6, the Royal Thai Navy command for the Southern Gulf of Thailand received notice from the crew of an offshore rig that there was a cargo ship with a pronounced list drifting


nearby. The location of the vessel was about 90 nautical miles to the east-southeast of Koh Samui - approximately the area of the Rossukon oil field.


Vice Adm. Soonthorn Khamkhai, commander of the 2nd Naval Area Command, dispatched a patrol boat to the scene to provide assistance. On arrival, the crew of the patrol boat found a rusting 260-foot coastal freighter, with markings identifying it as Fin Shui Yuen 2. The vessel was unmanned, in exceptionally poor condition and at risk of sinking.


The patrol boat sent a boarding team over to the freighter to investigate. Video taken by the team shows that the vessel had sustained heavy damage to her gunwale on the starboard side, and many of her hatch cover pontoons were missing. The empty hold contained several feet of water, which was sloshing across the full width of the beam from port to starboard as the vessel rolled.


An inspection of the interior revealed that the vessel had been left in a state of disarray, with belongings strewn about in the berthing areas and the bridge. Flooding was also found belowdecks in the engine room and machinery compartments.


Indonesian Navy releases rescued turtles


Authorities on the Indonesian tropical island Bali have released 33 endangered green sea turtles into the ocean in an effort to boost a population threatened by poachers and illegal traders.


The turtles, from the Chelonia mydas species that is protected in Indonesia, were released on Kuta beach after they being rescued during a Navy operation against poachers in December. Tourists gathered to watch and film the release on their mobile phones, cheering the turtles on as they trudged across on the beach.


Photo credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center


“It’s a great idea for the conservation effort,” said Australian tourist Briant Firth. “They were getting some of the poachers and they were saving the turtles.”


So, it is certainly hats off to the Indonesian Navy for their efforts and for ensuring these mystical creatures have been returned to their natural habitat. Well done to the Indonesian Navy for doing something which frankly restores faith In humanity!


That’s all for this month. Mike Schwarz


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