On Monday, a Thai Navy vessel manufactured in the United States sank in the Gulf of Thailand. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with helicopters being used to locate the approximately 30 missing sailors. So far, 75 sailors have been rescued from the HTMS Sukothai, a corvette. The conditions at the time of the sinking were reportedly rough, with waves measuring over 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) high. The ship had sailed despite warnings of adverse weather and waves up to 4 meters high, according to The Associated Press.
One rescued sailor stated that he was in the water for three hours before being rescued. The high waves are making it difficult for rescuers to search for the missing sailors, forcing them to rely on helicopters and spotlights to search from above.
According to reports, the ship was impacted by strong winds and high waves, which sprayed water onto the deck and disabled the electrical system. Without power, the sailors were unable to pump water out of the vessel, leading to a severe list and ultimately causing the ship to sink, according to the Associated Press.
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