NYK Containership Rescues 23 Sailors in Malacca Straits

On July 30, Ikaruga, an NYK containership, rescued 23 sailors from a troubled cargo vessel in the Malacca and Singapore straits.

Ikaruga was sailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Singapore, when a distress call was sent at around 11:50 p.m. (local time) on July 29 from the troubled vessel. Singapore Port Operation Control Center asked Ikaruga to assist, and rescue operations were immediately set in motion. The troubled vessel had collided with another vessel, and at about 0:48 a.m. on July 30 Ikaruga arrived on the scene to rescue all 23 sailors (1 Bulgarian, 8 Ukrainians, 14 Filipinos) from two lifeboats.

The rescued sailors are in good health and disembarked from Ikaruga at Singapore at around 10:50 a.m. on July 30.

About Ikaruga

Captain: Molina, Arnold B.

Flag: Singapore

Crew: 22 Russian and Filipinos (including the captain)

Gross Tonnage: 18,619 tons

Type of vessel: Containership

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Source: NYK, August 4, 2011.