Following the initial verification, the vessel has been identified as the King Rich, which is registered under the Sierra Leonean flag. It is a liquid cargo ship that boasts a total gross tonnage of 13,920 tonnes, a length of 132 metres, and a width of 21 metres.

It suffered an engine failure in the waters of the Philippines on November 18 and subsequently drifted offshore before running aground in Vietnam.

All of the crew members aboard King Rich were able to be saved by several nearby vessels. It carried no cargo at the time of the incident.

According to information given by local authorities, previously the combination of large waves and the high bulwark structure of the ship had hindered recue forces and local border guard officers on the Cham Islands from approaching and boarding the vessel.

The provincial People’s Committee also requested that relevant units monitor and make plans to avoid environmental pollution during the ship salvage process.

VOV