Two lost at sea as barge sinks

Two crewmen were still missing at sea last night after a cargo barge loaded with
coal sank early yesterday off the coast of Samut Prakan. The barge sank in the
Gulf of Thailand at around 2am, about 2km off the coast at Bang Phu Mai, said
Adul Wonglanlong, 37, the skipper of the tugboat that was hired to pull six coal-loaded
barges.

The two missing crewmen were identified as Khamron Paleesak and Somchai
Thongkham.

According to Mr Adul, he had been hired by a businessman in Chon Buri to pull
the six barges from the eastern province to Ayutthaya.

Each barge was carrying 450 tonnes of coal. The tugboat, with the six barges in
tow, left Koh Sichang pier in Chon Buri around 4pm on Thursday. He said he
noticed the last barge develop some problems and eventually sink at around 2am
yesterday. The other five barges arrived at their destination safely.

Divers were yesterday sent to search for the missing crewmen. Only the wreckage
of the barge was found. Police said they would contact the owner of the barge to
retrieve it. The search continued last night for the two crewmen.

Bangkok Post

Saturday March 17, 2007