Seven people were missing and nine others rescued after a ferry hit by a strong storm capsized after leaving Koh Samui island, heading for the Don Sak boat pier on the mainland on Saturday night, local media reported.
The Raja 4 ferry was loaded with garbage, three 10-wheel lorries and a pick-up truck. On board the ferry were 11 crewmen, four drivers of the three lorries and the pick-up and a saleswoman.
Raja Ferry Plc operates ferries running between Don Sak and Koh Samui,
The ferry departed from Koh Samui at 8.48pm. At about 10pm, it was hit by a strong storm and high waves, and capsized about 2 nautical miles from Koh Samui, between Koh 4 and Koh 5 islands.
Surat Thani governor and medical staff from Koh Samui Hospital rushed to the boat landing of the Raja Ferry Plc at tambon Lipa Noy on Koh Samui.
Koh Samui marine police dispatched two patrol boats, R6 and R10, for the rescue. They managed to pluck nine people - seven ferry crew including the skipper and the drivers of two 10-wheel lorries - from the high waves.
Seven other people - four ferry crewmen, the drivers of the other 10-wheel lorry and the pick-up, and the saleswoman - were still missing.
Mr Wichawut said the rescue operation was hampered by heavy rain and waves of 2-3 metres.
The rescue team continued the search for the missing into the night.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -7-missing
Ferry capsizes off Koh Samui
Ferry capsizes off Koh Samui
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Ferry capsizes off Koh Samui
There have been some very strong winds overnight for the past few nights down here. I live only 20 minutes from Don Sak Ferry pier.
Re: Ferry capsizes off Koh Samui
Ferry services suspended in Surat Thani
The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office has suspended all evening and night ferry services to and from three major tourist islands because of stormy seas in the Gulf of Thailand.
The order, signed by governor Wichawut Jinto, was issued on Sunday in a radio message to all regional marine offices and other agencies responsible for overseeing marine operations.
The order suspended boat services on the Don Sak-Koh Samui-Koh Phangan route between 5pm and 5am, from Aug 2-4.
The order also suspended all ferry services between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, from 5pm on Aug 2 to 3pm on Aug 4.
Mr Wichawut also said 10 foreign diving instructors on Koh Tao would on Monday join the search for four people still missing after the ferry boat Raja 4 capsized off Koh Samui island during a storm on Saturday night.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... urat-thani
The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office has suspended all evening and night ferry services to and from three major tourist islands because of stormy seas in the Gulf of Thailand.
The order, signed by governor Wichawut Jinto, was issued on Sunday in a radio message to all regional marine offices and other agencies responsible for overseeing marine operations.
The order suspended boat services on the Don Sak-Koh Samui-Koh Phangan route between 5pm and 5am, from Aug 2-4.
The order also suspended all ferry services between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, from 5pm on Aug 2 to 3pm on Aug 4.
Mr Wichawut also said 10 foreign diving instructors on Koh Tao would on Monday join the search for four people still missing after the ferry boat Raja 4 capsized off Koh Samui island during a storm on Saturday night.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... urat-thani
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson