PHUKET: All six fishermen were rescued after two long-tail boats sank in the wind-tossed monsoon sea near Koh Mai Thon on Friday morning.
The two boats and their crews left Phuket port on Thursday evening to fish off Mai Thon island. The crews sent out a distress call about 8am on Friday.
The boats were swamped by rough, stormy seas about 1.5 nautical miles off the island, V/Adm Choengchai Chomchoengphaet, commander of the 3rd Naval Area Command, said on Friday.
Navy and marine police vessels were deployed to search for them. Debris and a fisherman's ID card were found floating on the water about eight kilometres southwest of Koh Mai Thon.
The searchers first found and rescued two of the missing fishermen, Suthep Hasap and Arthit Phanphum. They were taken to shore and later to Vachira Phuket Hospital.
The search continued for the four others – Withoon Mahawansri, Arbee Wareesri, Preechakorn Hasap and Nikorn Faiphet.
A helicopter was brought in to help scour the area, and the missing men were sighted floating in the sea and rescued about 11.20am, said V/Adm Choengchai.
All had been wearing life jackets.
The rescued fishermen are taken to shore . (Photo: 3rd Naval Area photo)
Safe and sound: The rescued fishermen express their thanks to V/Adm Choengchai Chomchoengphaet, commander of the 3rd Naval Area Command, and other officers involved in the operation. (Photo: Achadtaya Chuenniran)