Abandoned Cruise Ship Sinks off Thailand
Chinese cruise ship "Ocean Dream" , anchored off Laem Chanang port in Sri Racha for over a year, sank into the sea today, raising fear by Thai environmental authorities that it could cause pollution in the sea.
Ocean Dream capsized on Saturday while anchored around 2 miles off Laem Chabang port located in Sri Racha on Thailand’s east coast. Local news reports the vessel had been abandoned by the owners for over a year.
Local fisherman saw the vessel was taking on water, the authorities at Marine Department’s Marine Safety Centre were then contacted.
Authorities immediately coordinated with the Chinese owner to stabilise the vessel back to its position, and were working out a plan to have it fixed soon.
The local authorities are monitoring the ship’s wreck for oil leaks and water pollution, which might result in big environmental and economical disaster.
Vice Admiral Rangsarit Satayanukul, Commander of the Navy First Fleet has ordered a Navy plane to fly to the scene to see if the vessel was leaking oil as he feared it could pose environmental threat.
During the accident on board of the vessel there were no people, so no report for injuries. The authorities are investigating the root cause of the accident and will open a lawsuit for the costs of wreck removal to the shipowner.
The cruise ship is operating under the flag of Panama and managed by Shanghai Eastime Ship Management. Ocean Dream was built in 1972 at Fincantieri Riva Trigoso shipyard in Italy.
