Discover the Eco-Czar: Ratings & Maritime News

In a remarkable rescue operation on October 29, 2020, the crew of the bulk carrier 'Fortune Iris' successfully saved three fishermen stranded at sea following the tragic sinking of their fishing vessel during Storm Molave. The fishermen were part of a crew of 14 aboard a boat owned by Vo Ngoc Do, based in Hoai Nhon Town, Binh Dinh Province. This incident occurred in the central waters off Khanh Hoa Province, as the fishing boat attempted to find refuge in Nha Trang amidst the ravaging storm—considered the most potent to hit Vietnam in two decades. As strong winds and turbulent surf lashed the region, the fishing boat sank more than 190 miles from the coast. Just two hours earlier, another fishing boat from the same province met a similar fate, with its crew of 12 still unaccounted for. After the successful rescue, Captain of the 'Fortune Iris' relayed the news to Nha Trang Coastal Radio Station, confirming that Le Minh Don, 20, Phan Quoc Quy, 35, and Vo Van Hoai, 35, were found in stable condition after enduring three days at sea. They recounted the harrowing moments of their boat's sinking, revealing that two of their companions died immediately, leaving them unaware of the whereabouts of the remaining crew members. In response to this unfolding tragedy, local authorities collaborated with the Hong Kong-flagged 'Fortune Iris' to care for the survivors. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Navy has deployed two ships and a hydroplane in an ongoing search effort for the 23 missing fishermen, striving to bring closure to the families affected by this maritime disaster.