Capsized barge: Identity of body recovered still being verified

SINGAPORE - The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continued with Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the four missing crew members of the capsized Bolivia-flagged barge Heng Hong 168 for the eighth day. The barge capsized on December 19, 2013 in Singapore waters about three nautical miles west of Horsburgh Lighthouse.

The identity of the body recovered on December 24, 2013 is still being verified by the Indonesian authorities. It is still not clear whether this is one of the missing crew members from Heng Hong 168.

As of 5pm on Thursday, SAR operations involved a total of two Super Puma helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, three patrol vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy, three Police Coast Guard patrol craft, assets from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Royal Malaysian Navy and Indonesia's Rescue Sub-centre Tanjung Pinang, divers and a diving support vessel from Resolve Salvage & Fire (Asia), and 270 passing commercial vessels.

natlim@sph.com.sg