Dramatic video captures cargo ship crashing into fishing boat near Singapore waters

A bulker, a large cargo vessel, reportedly collided with a Chinese fishing boat near the Singapore Strait, according to a video shared on social media after the accident on Thursday (Sept 17).

In the video taken from the perspective of those on board the fishing vessel, Luqing Yuanyu 108, multiple crew members can be seen walking along the flank of the ship, cautiously watching as a bulker, First Margaux, approaches them from behind.

The bulk carrier was departing from Singapore at the time, reported CNA.

As the latter begins encroaching uncomfortably close, one of the crew members can be seen gesturing at someone indoors — presumably the vessel's captain — telling them to steer clear of the bulker.

Meanwhile, shouting can be heard as crew members possibly attempt to alert those on board the First Margaux of their presence.

However, their decision comes too late as the First Margaux's bow ploughs into the Luqing Yuanyu 108's starboard side and panic sets in.

Large quantities of seawater pours into the vessel as the collision tips the Luqing Yuanyu 108 over, with crew members clinging on to railings for dear life.

The situation seems to stabilise as the video ends, although shouting can still be heard.

@asiaone Dramatic footage captured a bulk carrier colliding with a Chinese fishing vessel in the busy shipping lanes near the Singapore Strait on Thursday (Sept 17). The incident reportedly occurred at around 5pm as both ships were heading towards the Strait of Malacca. #Maritime #Accident #Ships #China #Singapore ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

The incident took place at around 4pm as the merchant ship, First Margaux, was heading towards the Strait of Malacca, Maritime Executive reported.

First Margaux is a bulker, carrying large amounts of bulk cargo, and was leaving a busy anchorage on the east side of Singapore, heading west.

Luqing Yuanyu 108 had reportedly left around the same time from an anchorage near Sentosa, and was headed south.

The collision occurred at around 5pm as both ships were headed towards the Strait of Malacca, according to media platform Maritime Executive.

On X, maritime historian and Campbell University professor Salvatore R Mercogliano highlighted that Singapore has "one of the most complicated and busy traffic areas on the planet".

"First Margaux was in the correct traffic separation scheme lane," he stated, referring to the maritime route system managed by the International Maritime Organisation to prevent ship collisions.

However, another bulker, Gas Iris, was entering the lane from the right side of the First Margaux, presenting a collision risk, he said.

As this happened, the Luqing Yuanyu 108 was also entering the lane, causing the Chinese vessel to be pincered between two bulkers.

"A slight turn to port (left) could have avoided this situation but there was a turn to starboard (right) coming up to enter Singapore," Prof Mercogliano said.

No injuries or pollution reported, MPA investigating

Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore shared that it is investigating the collision between the fishing vessel and Panama-registered bulker First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on Thursday.

The authority shared that while the fishing vessel took on water during the incident, it still remained afloat and stable as crew managed the situation.

Luqing Yuanyu 108 was then towed to Raffles Anchorage for assessment with essential crew remaining onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

"There were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident," MPA said. "Navigational traffic was not affected."

[[nid:742521]]

[email protected]