Japan, Philippines Rescue Forces Search for Missing Cargo Ship Vinalines Queen

Search and rescue forces from Japan and the Philippines have been utilizing airplanes and other modern rescue equipment to search for the lost Vietnamese-owned cargo ship Vinalines Queen and its crew that went missing on December 25.

The Vietnam Maritime Rescue Cooperation Center (VN MRRC) stated that Filipino authorities used a rescue helicopter on December 27 to search for the ship in the area northeast of Luzon Island, in the Philippines, where the ship sent its final signal before losing contact, but nothing has been found. Coast Guard mobilized an airplane to the area the same day, but only oil slicks were reported.

MRRC will keep asking for assistance from Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan in finding the ship and its crew members. The Vietnam’s Coastal Zone Information System is also sending signals to ask means of transport operating in the area to search for the ship.

A plan for search and rescue operations aimed at the ship because is yet to be finalized.

Vinalines Shipping Company, the owner of Vinalines Queen, the company is now cooperating with search and rescue centers in the region to seek information about the ship.

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World Maritime News Staff, December 30, 2011; Image: HaizhouShipyard