Search continues for 4 missing crew members of capsized barge

Search continues for 4 missing crew members of capsized barge

SINGAPORE - The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continued to coordinate Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for four missing crew members of the capsized Bolivia-flagged barge Heng Hong 168 for the fourth day on Sunday.

The barge had capsized on December 19, 2013, in Singapore waters about three nautical miles west of Horsburgh Lighthouse.

The Tanjung Uban Port Authority reported that one crew member was found alive drifting off Bintan island at around 9.20am today. He was subsequently brought to shore by the Indonesian Coast Guard and sent to a hospital in Bintan. Search efforts for the remaining missing crew members of Heng Hong 168 are ongoing.

The barge’s Malaysian agent is making arrangements to tow the barge back to Malaysia.

As of 6pm (Singapore time) today, the SAR operations has 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 and the Royal Malaysian Navy, divers and a diving support vessel from Resolve Salvage & Fire (Asia), and 110 passing commercial vessels.

candicec@sph.com.sg

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