Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations involving Singapore-registered Vessels

There were a total of five SAR operations involving Singapore-registered vessels between Jan 2019 to June 2019. The vessels involved were EPIC BALTA, BULK ARIES, MARITIME KELLY ANNE, ASIA EMERALD III and CANOPUS LEADER. On 2 April 2019, EPIC BALTA rescued a 69-year-old yatch skipper from Barcelona in the Caribbean Seas after the sailboat which he participated in a regatta had sunk. EPIC BALTA, responded to the MRCC of Colombia, diverted from her scheduled route to the position and rescued the man. On 7 April 2019, BULK ARIES received a message from MRCC Singapore requesting immediate assistance to the sailboat in distress in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel contacted the RCC Alameda (U.S. Coast Guard) and proceeded to the distress position. Four fishermen were rescued and were uninjured. French adventurer, Mr Jean Jacques, set sail on 26 December 2018 for the Caribbean in a barrel-shaped orange capsule hoping to complete the three-month voyage from the Canary Islands with the aid of the ocean currents alone. However, the journey didn't go as planned. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received distress message from Mr Jacques on 1 May 2019. MARITIME KELLY ANNE responded to the distress message and altered her course to the distress site upon confirmation with the USCG Station San Juan. MARITIME KELLY ANNE successfully located the barrel and commenced the rescue operations. Both Mr Jacques and his barrel embarked on MARITIME KELLY ANNE on 2 May 2019. The crew arranged for telecommunication medical interview in French with Mr Jacques to ensure that he was in good health. On 9 June 2019, ASIA EMERALD III responded to the request from Indian Coast Guard and rendered assistance to a sinking fishing boat with 6 persons on-board. The rescued persons were found in good health and no injury. ASIA EMERALD III proceeded to Port Cocnin, India, upon the request of Indian Coast Guard for the disembarkation of the rescued persons. On 15 June 2009, 2238H LT, car carrier CANOPUS LEADER received distress alert from car carrier DIAMOND HIGHWAY. DIAMOND HIGHWAY reported that a fire broke out on board the vessel and the crew requested for assistance as they planned to abandon the ship. CANOPUS LEADER deviated from her route and arrived at the location of the casualty vessel. All the 25 crew embarked on the life boat of DIAMOND HIGHWAY and proceeded to CANOPY LEADER. The rescued crew safely disembarked on 20 June 2019, 0825H LT at Laem Chabang, Thailand. We would like to express our appreciation to the Master and crew of EPIC BALTA, BULK ARIES, MARITIME ARIES ANNE, ASIA EMERALD III and CANOPUS LEADER for their gallant effort in rendering all necessary assistance to the persons in distress at sea.