Vietnam to Prosecute Following Fatal Ship Collision

The crew of Singaporean cargo ship 'Sima Sapphire' which collided a Vietnamese fishing vessel leaving 3 dead and 5 missing will be prosecuted since data from the ship's black box incriminates its crew, according to the Vietnam Government.

The Sima Sapphire was on voyage to Malaysia from Ho Chi Minh City when it collided with a Vietnamese fishing vessel from the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, which was returning to shore with 16 persons onboard. The collision threw all 16 fishermen to the sea, of whom 8 were rescued by the Singaporean ship.

The Vung Tau Maritime Port Administartion said recovery of data from the black box incriminates the ship's captain and two of his officers, who now are under investigation. 

Pham Hien, Director of Vietnam Maritime Rescue Coordination Center for Zone 3 (Vungtau MRCC) said rescue boats searching for the missing men have now been recalled, but local fishing boats continue the search.

According to the SGGP English edition of the government's website, the shipowners will now have to compensate each of the families of the victims who died in the collision off Vung Tau City with US$4,000 each and fishermen who were rescued in the accident with $500 each