The Royal Thai Navy has accomplished its investigation into the sinking of the frigate Sukhothai in 2022, blaming a mixture of dangerous climate, vessel situation and human error for the casualty. 

On the evening of December 18, 2022, the 36-year-old frigate Sukhothai encountered heavy climate whereas working about 20 miles off Bang Saphan, Thailand. Instead of continuous onward to Bang Saphan, the place there can be no help tugs, the commanding officer opted to reverse course and return to the naval base at Chon Buri, on the opposite aspect of the Gulf of Thailand. 

Conditions continued to worsen, and wave heights reached about 20 ft. The vessel misplaced energy and commenced to flood, and her pumps have been unable to maintain up. Response vessels couldn’t switch over salvage pumps as a result of the floor circumstances have been too tough. The vessel suffered progressive flooding, and at 0012 hours, the Sukhothai capsized and sank.

76 survivors have been rescued, together with 18 who have been hospitalized. 24 deceased crewmembers’ our bodies have been recovered, and 5 stay lacking at sea.

After the casualty, divers from the Royal Thai Navy and the U.S. Navy inspected the ship and located proof of bodily injury. The wave breaker simply ahead of the principle cannon had torn off, leaving a one-inch gap within the deck the place water might enter. The gun turret additionally confirmed indicators of affect injury from an unknown object, and there have been two substantial penetrations on the port aspect above the waterline, about one foot lengthy every – additionally from affect with an unidentified object. In addition, the hatch for a line locker was unsecured, and the hatch for the cannon’s gun bay compartment was not doable to shut, in keeping with The Nation Thailand. All of those elements might doubtlessly contribute to flooding in heavy seas. 

In addition, the investigation discovered fault with the commanding officer’s resolution to show again and head for Chon Buri. Bang Saphan was nearer, and the choice “was made hastily and without thorough consideration,” the investigators concluded. 

The former CO, Capt. Pichitchai Tuannadee, acknowledged that the choice had been his, although he stated that he and his crew had acted with the most effective intentions to avoid wasting their ship. Tuannadee resigned from the Navy on the similar press convention, and stated that his departure would protect the glory of the submit he held. Before leaving, he’ll serve out a 15-day punitive detention.

The Thai authorities initially pledged to boost the wreck of the Sukhothai, however the challenge proved to be too costly and dangerous. Instead, it opted to work with the U.S. Navy’s salvage specialists to take away or decommission the ship’s weapons, munitions and delicate supplies.