There is something strange about the sudden sinking of the South Korean registered " Oyang 70 " in the Great Southern ocean - off the south island of New Zealand.
This large fishing vessel - under charter to New Zealand - carried a mixed Asian crew of fifty-one and despite average weather conditions - plunged to the bottom in just ten minutes. As a result, forty-five of the crew managed to scramble into life rafts and survived, three drowned - and another three are missing and all hope for them has been abandoned.
Water temperatures are just seven degrees and it seems that immersion suits were not worn. These essentials in cold water areas extend survival to about three hours, hence judging by the elapsed time there is no hope that the missing can still be alive.
It is essential that there be a thorough and widespread investigation into this sinking. It seems incredible that a modern, major vessel can sustain problems that deliver just ten minutes to abandon ship before a seaworthy ship sinks to the bottom.
There will be suspicion that some foreign registered ships do not meet modern safety standards and if this proves correct legal action against the owners is not only possible - but likely.
Those that make their living on the sea are entitled to the protection of valid safety laws.
No comments:
Post a Comment