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Navy renders assistance to cruise ship stuck on underwater rocks

Navy renders assistance to cruise ship stuck on underwater rocks

PHUKET: The cruise ship, La Belle des Oceans, carrying 150 passengers and crew, has hit underwater rocks and is unable to move southeast of Phi Phi Island, reports the Royal Thai Navy.

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By The Phuket News

Monday 25 November 2019 10:13 AM


 

A Royal Thai Navy officer told The Phuket News this morning (Nov 25) that the navy’s Third Area Command received the call for assistance at 9:30am, though the ship struck bottom last night.

There have been no reports of deaths or injuries, the Navy officer confirmed.

The HTMS Sriracha has been dispatched to safely recover those onboard.

UPDATE: Vice Admiral Cherngchai Chomcherngpat, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command based in Phuket, has confirmed that La Belle des Oceans struck bottom off Koh Bida Nok at about 3am.

The impact caused a breach in the forward section of the hull and the ship started taking on water.

A passing fishing boat saw the ship and offered assistance, but the captain at that time declined the offer.

The La Belle des Océans was traveling from Koh Lanta to Phuket with 150 people onboard, including 60 Filipinos and 20 Croatians.

The passengers will be brought back to the pier at Cape Panwa.

V/Adm Cherngchai re-confirmed that the Third Area Command was already providing assistance.