Petite-Soeur

After the collision with the 'Eetite Soeur', the 'Hong Hai 189' finally sank on May 5, approximately 400 yards from the Sisiman Lighthouse in Mariveles, while it was towed. The capsized vessel released around 30 to 50 litres of fuel and other mixed substances. The PCG Station Bataan and the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) assisted in placing oil spill containment booms and absorbent bags in the area. Officials continued to monitor the situation.

The 'Petite Soeur' was being held in the Philippines after the collision with the dredger 'Hong Hai 189'off Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, on April 28. Ttwo crew members of the dredger, a Chinesecrew member of the dredger drowned, the safety officer from the Philippnies lost his life due to his head injuries after he and 15 other members were rescued by another vessel. Three other members remained missing. All 21 crew members of the 'Petite Soeur' were in stable physical conditions. The 'Petite Soeur' was anchored in pos. 14 28 38 N, 120 38 11 E, 1.2 nautical miles from Lucanin, as of May 3.

Two crew members of the 'Hong Hai 189', a Filipino safety officer and a Chinese rating officer, have been killed in the collision with the 'Petite Soeur'. The Filipino officer died while being treated at Bataan General Hospital for injuries. The body of the Chinese crew member was recovered by a search and rescue team in the morning of April 29. Three others were reported missing following the incident. Two more crew members who were taken to the nearest hospital for identification and medical help. The 'Hong Hai 189' was en route from Botolan in Zambales with 20 people on board. It was about to dock when it was hit at the starboard stern and was holed by the 'Petite Soeur', which changed berth. The tanker was 1.6 nautical miles from the berth it had just vacated and was in the process of joining the traffic separation scheme, so it could move to a newly appointed berth at Oilink. The collision occurred despite the tanker having taken attempted evasive action. The tanker was also damaged. The last port of call of the 'Petite Soeur' was in Mariveles, Bataan. The tanker has been detained and was undergoing a port state control inspection which showed safety violations” on the ship, without specifying details. It anchored in Limay on May 1. A salvage vessel has been contracted to tow the 'Hong Hai 189' to prevent it sinking fully. A full investigation will be held, with which managers and operators will cooperate fully.