Phuketwan Updating Report, plus Photo Album
SURVIVORS from the sinking of MV Dive Asia 1 arrived back on Phuket this afternoon to tell their stories of the drama at sea.
Some of the 23 who were on board arrived wrapped in blue towels because the sudden squall that sank the boat gave no warning.
A search is going on this afternoon for six tourists and a Thai dive boat staffer, still missing after the boat was overturned off the Similan island in a savage storm about 11pm last night.
The seven missing are two Swiss, two Austrians, one Japanese, one German and the Thai dive cook.
Police named the missing as: Jetzinger Gabrielle, Germany; Yuba Hirotsuga, Japan; Klaus Konradder, Austria; Monika Schuster, Austria; Sibylle Bucher, Switzerland, Rolf Niederberge, Switzerland; Jumpa Sorntat, Thailand.
The captain of the MV Dive Asia 1 Chatree Leechoi, 45, told Phuketwan after he reached Phuket's deep sea port today: ''We were heading back to Phuket last night when a huge squall hit us.
''We had no warning, no time to prepare. Not even a chance to put on life jackets.''
All 23 were thrown into the water.
''We were 12 miles out to sea,'' the captain said. ''There were two small dinghies that most of us scrambled into.
''But it was pitch black and we really couldn't see much.''
The captain said he had been working in the dive industry for about 20 years. The boat was new and well-maintained.
Eight of the people on the boat were Dive Asia staff.
When the boat left the Similans about 10pm to return to Phuket, there was no rain, no wind, no waves, the captain said.
The survivors were plucked from the water by a fishing boat about 9am this morning, which means they had been in the water for about 10 hours.
About 2pm, a marine police boat intercepted the fishing boat and carried the survivors back to the deep sea port where they arrived about 4.05pm.
Captain Chatree Leechoi said that a night voyage back to the pier at Chalong, on Phuket's east coast, was normal at the conclusion of a dive trip.
Dive Asia PADI Course Director Jurgen Schenker was on the dock to greet survivors.
Three ambulances were there on standby, but the survivors were all led to a room for a debriefing by officials. Names were added to a list of survivors.
The Governor of Phuket, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, interrupted playing host to a Royal princess who was visiting the island today.
He ordered a helicopter search of the region where the boat was overturned.
The boat was spotted about 6.30 pm tonight, about 30 kilometres from Cape Promthep, Phuket's southernmost point.
Vice governor Smith Palawatvichai was waiting at the dock this afternoon for the survivors.
Updating List of survivors
Chatree Leechoi, Thailand (captain)
Yuriko Kamada, Japan (Banthai Beach Resort and Spa)
Masayuki Kamada, Japan (Banthai Beach Resort and Spa)
Frank Bay, Germany
Kathrin Raab, Germany
Dr Stefan Mann, Germany
Michael Sampson, Australia
Markus Reitner, Germany
Kathrin Mayer, Germany (Evason Six Senses Phuket)
Danuiel Brunner, Switzerland
Voegtlin Reto, Switzerland (Garden Home Kata)
Anderegg Nicole, Switzerland (Garden Home Kata)
Stefan Grulms, Germany (Hilton Arcadia)
Suzanne Schrewe, Germany (Hilton Arcadia)
Diermaier Christian, Germany (Palm Village Rawai)
Pairat Simma, Thailand (divemaster)
Manop Jintalek, Thailand (crew)
Narin Voharn, Thailand (crew)
Dej Lhee-Chuay, Thailand (crew)
Thanaporn Rosdee, Thailand (crew)
Jukeapat Senayothee, Thailand (crew)
Jiravan Van-Ngam, Thailand (crew)
Storm Sinks Similans Dive Boat: Seven Missing
Dive Boat Sinking A storm off the Similan islands sank a dive boat last night. The boat included Australians, Austrians, Germans, Swedes, Japanese and Thais. Seven are unaccounted for.
Storm Sinks Similans Dive Boat: Seven Missing
Can't help but be impressed by the actions of the Governor of Phuket and the vice governor.
Sounds like accolades are also due for the Royal Thai Navy.
Seems odd that the boat wasn't reported missing until 8.30am though. Prayers for those missing and hopes they are found well.
Posted by photo_journ on March 9, 2009 18:04