The Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police Maritime Group report they safely evacuated 17 Vietnamese crewmembers after their cargo ship started taking up water in a single day within the southern Philippines. They are persevering with to observe the situation of the vessel and are on patrol for potential oil leaks.

The Viet Hai Star (4,000 dwt) had departed Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on November 15 and was carrying 80,000 baggage (roughly 4,000 tons) of rice. The vessel registered in Vietnam was in-built 2008 and is 287 toes in size with a crew of 17. It was heading to Cagayan de Oro City on Mindanao.

The vessel radioed for help round 9:00 p.m. on November 21 about 800 yards off the coast of Balabac on the southwestern fringe of the Philippines. According to the PCG the vessel reported its crew “discovered a leak at the starboard side of the vessel.” Some reviews point out that the vessel might need grounded whereas others seem to point the vessel was deliberately grounded after the leak was found.

The SAR operation reached the vessel by roughly 9:45 p.m. and stood by whereas the crew tried to regulate the leak. They reported that the ahead compartment had already flooded. At 4:20 a.m. the choice was made to desert the vessel and the crew was transported by the Philippine authorities to Balabac Port.

As of Wednesday morning, November 22, the PCG is reporting the vessel was “already half submerged.” They haven’t discovered any indicators of an oil leak.