Forwarded message:
From owner-indonesia-l@indopubs.com Sat Sep 27 16:47:49 1997
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 14:44:53 -0600 (MDT)
Message-Id: <199709272044.OAA28014@indopubs.com>
To: indonesia-l@indopubs.com
From: apakabar@clark.net
Subject: [INDONESIA-L] AP - Supertanker Slices Freigher in Half, 29 Die
Sender: owner-indonesia-l@indopubs.com
Posted at 11:12 a.m. PDT Saturday, September 27, 1997
Supertanker slices freighter in half, 29 go down with ship
By Hari S. Maniam Associated Press Writer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Survivors of a ship collision in
haze-cloaked waters off Malaysia said Saturday they listened helplessly as
trapped shipmates slid beneath the seas with their crippled freighter.
"I saw the ship going down after splitting into two as a result of the
impact," said Cartik Venghatraman.
A supertanker rammed into the Indian-registered cargo ship late Friday
night in the Strait of Malacca, where thick smoke from forest fires
obscured visibility.
Officials said 29 crew members of the Vikraman were missing and feared dead
after the vessel sank south of Port Dickson, about 70 miles southwest of
Kuala Lumpur, the capital.
There were no casualties reported on the St. Vincent-registered
supertanker, and the Marine Department said there were no oil spills.
The collision happened hours after an Indonesian jetliner crashed 255 miles
away while descending through the thick haze that has choked much of
Southeast Asia, killing all 234 aboard.
It was unclear whether the smoke played a role in either crash. Visibility
was about one mile where the ship collision happened.
The freighter's five survivors said the impact threw them into the sea,
where they were rescued hours later by a Thai cargo vessel.
Venghatraman, 21, who survived by clinging to floating wreckage, said he
heard the pleas of his trapped shipmates as the boat sank in less than a
minute. "By the grace of God I am still alive."
Dozens of rescue ships and more than 100 navy personnel scoured the area
but found no other survivors.
Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister Ali Rustam said investigators were
trying to determine if the haze was a factor.
"In view of the haze situation, all vessels plying the Strait of Malacca
should be more cautious," he said.
It was the second collision in the Strait of Malacca since the haze, caused
by forest fires set to clear land, have blanketed Malaysia and other
Southeast Asian nations in the last two months.
On Sept. 20, two cargo vessels collided in the Strait, though no casualties
or major damage were reported.