This is a story of our brave Capt Edward Abban from Ghana, the master of PIL ship Kota Nelayan (1800 teu container vessel) and his 22 professional and strong crew from various nationalities, who have done PIL proud by conducting search in high waves and strong winds to successfully rescue a Chinese seaman of the bulk carrier JIANMAO 9, which sank in south China sea off Vietnam coast.
On the 09th of November 2010 at about 1630 hrs ship's time, while the vessel was enroute from Hong Kong to Singapore, Capt Edward Abban received a distress message from bulk carrier ship JIANMAO 9 (call sign 3FXS6). The reported distress position was about 28 nautical miles from Kota Nelayan's position. Capt Edward Abban reported to MRCC Hong Kong and proceeded at maximum safe speed, in wind force 6 and rough seas with 3-4 meter high waves, towards the stricken bulk carrier. On reaching the position of the distressed vessel, which was already sinking due to flooding of the holds, it was found that the crew had abandoned the ship and were in a life raft. The survivors from this life raft were picked up by another ship which was ahead of Kota Nelayan.
On enquiring from the master of stricken ship JIANMAO 9, who was already on board the other rescue ship with his crew from the first life raft, it was discovered that only 26 crew members were rescued by the first vessel on scene and "One Seaman" was still missing at sea (not accounted for).
On receiving this information of the missing seaman, then began the most difficult task for Capt Edward Abban and his crew, to locate the lone missing seaman. The wind was very strong, swells waves were of 3-4 meters high and visibility was only about 1.5 nautical miles. After few hours of search at night, Capt Edward & his crew located another life raft (using night vision binoculars) and spotted a single man inside the life raft waving a torch light. The life raft canopy was already damaged and the life raft already had water inside it. It took another hour for Capt Edward to be able to delicately maneuver the Kota Nelayan in heavy seas and poor visibility, with full load of laden containers under deck and on deck, to be able to bring the life raft safely alongside his ship to successfully rescue the lone seaman from the life raft of JIANMAO 9 by 2012 hrs. This operation, from the time of locating the person and finally getting him on board, took about 2 hours.
The rescued seaman was Zhong Ming, PR Chinese national. he was given the best possible care on board Kota Nelayan after rescue and the ship proceeded on her passage to Singapore. At Singapore, Mr. Zhong Ming was disembarked with the help from Chinese Embassy and repatriated to his home town in Jiangsu province, to be reunited with his family.
PIL Fleet Management Division also rendered best possible help to the Chinese embassy
Mr. We Wei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China in Singapore, (????????????????? personally invited Capt Edward and our managing director Mr. S S Teo, along with other key personnel from PIL to his residence to honour Capt Edward for his brave act for saving a distressed life at sea.
Ambassador Wei also praised PIL Singapore for the good effort we have put in.
We all in PIL applaud and commend the courageous efforts displayed by Capt Edward Abban and his shipboard team in spotting the isolated life raft and rescuing Mr. Zhong Ming, the carpenter of JIANMAO 9, in rough weather conditions.
PIL is very proud to have such exemplary officers and crew in our family.
Wish all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2011
S S Teo
Managing Director