River tugboat sinks, both crew missing

[PeteC]

Very sobering to watch people go to their death. RIP





River tugboat sinks, both crew missing

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ew-missing

A boat driver and his wife were missing after their barge tug sank in the Chao Phraya River opposite Wat Phanan Choeng Voraviharn in Ayutthaya province late Wednesday morning.

The tugboat was pulling five cargo barges to a pier in Nakhon Luang district of the central province.

It sank in the strong current at the confluence of the rain-swollen Chao Phraya and Pasak rivers about 11.15am, the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Association's rescue team reported on its Facebook page.

Somchai Tharnkul, 60, driver of the tugboat, and his wife Naruemol Tharnkul, were both reported missing.

Ayutthaya Ruamjai Association rescue team video of the sinking tugboat in the Chao Phraya River, near Wat Phanan Choeng Voraviharn, in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday morning. The tug captain and his wife were confirmed missing.

A woman is heard saying in the clip "Careful, calm down" and shouting "Careful'' then screaming "The tug sinks'' before no voice is heard. (A clip posted on @Ayutthayaruamjai Facebook page)

[PeteC]

Tugboat driver's body found near Rama VIII bridge

Discovery made 80km from where boat sank in Ayutthaya on Wednesday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... iii-bridge

[HHTel]

Wow. That's a hell of a current!

[PeteC]

Body found 3 months after tugboat capsizes in Ayutthaya

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/bo ... -ayutthaya

After a months-long search, dive and rescue teams have recovered the bodies of both a husband and wife who drowned when a tugboat capsized by a confluence, where the Chao Phraya River and Pasak River meet. The boat sank back in September in front of the Phanan Choeng Temple in Ayutthaya.

The captain’s body was later found near the Rama 8 bridge in Bangkok, but his wife remained missing. Rescuers stalled the search due to a rough current and depths reaching more than 20 metres. Once rescuers resumed the search, it took three days to recover the tugboat. Reports today say the remains of the 51 year old woman were found trapped in the engine room.

The tugboat was one of five boats carrying mineral materials from Sichang Island to the pier in Ayutthaya. The rough current at the confluence caused the boat to take on water and sink.

After over three months of waiting, the daughter said that she was happy to at least finally recovered her mother’s remains and thanked the rescue team.

SOURCE: Sanook | Matichon

[Nereus]

The tugboat was one of five boats carrying mineral materials from Sichang Island to the pier in Ayutthaya. The rough current at the confluence caused the boat to take on water and sink.

A very sad accident. But having had more than a few years involvment with tugs and towage, that "accident" was caused by the captain allowing the towline to slip around to 90 degrees over the side of the tug. It was reported that the poor woman was yelling at him to watch out, and in the video it appears that she was going to try and release the tow.

edit: Also noticed that the watertight door to the engine room was wide open, another serious breach on a tug.