RSAF's H225M Medium Lift Helicopter arriving at the Singapore General Hospital on Friday (July 19) with the two injured crewmen. – The Straits Times
SINGAPORE: Two crewmen were airlifted to the Singapore General Hospital, following fires on two shipping vessels about 55km north-east of Pedra Branca on Friday (July 19).
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on July 19 morning that a search and rescue mission for missing crew is under way off the coast of Pedra Branca after the vessels caught fire at about 6am.
MPA added that it has requested passing vessels to help in the search and rescue operation.
The authority said it was alerted to the fire onboard Singapore-flagged tanker Hafnia Nile, and a Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker Ceres I, about 55km north-east of Pedra Branca in waters that fall within Singapore’s maritime search and rescue region.
Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Supreme is in the area near the incident and providing help, MPA added. A Republic of Singapore Air Force helicopter has also been dispatched, and is assisting with evacuating the crew.
In a Facebook post, the navy said the RSS Supreme had rescued the crew and is currently providing medical assistance, after responding to a distress call from the two ships.
In a separate Facebook post, the Republic of Singapore Air Force said its Rescue 10 helicopter was activated and successfully transferred two crewmen to SGH for further medical treatment.
According to vessel-tracking websites, Hafnia Nile was scheduled to arrive at Kashima, Japan, at 10am local time on July 27. The vessel, listed as an oil products tanker, had departed from Huelva, Spain, on June 10.
Ceres I, a crude oil tanker, was scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 9pm on July 11.
The last reported location for both ships is the Riau Islands in Indonesia, according to VesselFinder. – The Straits Times/ANN
