MIRI – The task to refloat and turn over the huge cargo vessel MV Tung Sung that had capsized in the South China Sea offshore southern Sarawak has been successfully accomplished.
The task started on July 27.
The cargo ship had capsized in the South China Sea off southern Sarawak – after it was toppled over by huge waves a week ago – possibly entrapping four crew members who are still missing.
The gigantic task of refloating and turning over the sunken vessel weighing hundreds of tonnes was done by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the ship company management that had deployed divers and cranes, drilling equipment, and other heavy machinery.
Search-and-rescue teams have already found four bodies out of the eight missing crew members who were on board the ship that capsized on July 20 after it was battered by huge waves near Pulau Burung off southern Sarawak.
While the refloating of the capsized vessel was being carried out, the Fire and Rescue Department’s air unit and sea search teams had expanded its search area to more than 200 nautical miles.
MMEA Sarawak head Zin Azman Yunus today said the refloating had been completed and the vessel turned over.
“Efforts to find the missing crew members who may be trapped inside the capsized vessel will be carried out once the water has been pumped out,” he said. – Bernama, July 31, 2023
