VIETNAM – All 20 Crew Members Rescued After Fire on Vietnamese Oil Tanker

All 20 sailors from the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity are safe after a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The successful rescue was the result of swift coordination between the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa, Vietnamese maritime rescue teams, and multiple government agencies.

The incident occurred on August 8, when the 7,631-tonne GT Unity—transporting 3,872 tonnes of FO crude oil from Malaysia to Dung Quat in Quang Ngai province—was sailing about 104 nautical miles south-southeast of Con Dao and 191 nautical miles south-southeast of Vung Tau Cape. At 11:52 a.m., the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (VMRCC) received emergency alerts from both the Androusa and the Cospas-Sarsat station, reporting a blaze caused by an electrical short circuit in the tanker’s engine room.

Responding immediately, the VMRCC instructed the Androusa to change course and assist. By then, 16 of the 20 crew members had already evacuated the vessel in level 3 southwesterly winds.

Vietnam Maritime Administration Director Le Do Muoi directed the operation, issuing maritime warnings, mobilising rescue vessels, and coordinating with the Navy, Coast Guard, and other agencies. At 1:15 p.m., the specialised rescue ship SAR 413 was dispatched, while a forward command post was set up at the Region 3 Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre. The tanker’s owner was also told to prepare firefighting equipment, and nearby rig standby vessels were called to join the effort.

The Androusa ultimately retrieved all 20 crew members—including one seriously injured sailor—and SAR 413 transported them to shore. The coordinated response ensured that the incident ended without any loss of life.

Photo credit: Voice of Vietnam. All rights reserved.