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Beijing News (Reporter Liu Siwei, Intern Wang Jingpu) On July 14, the Hong Kong cargo ship "GEORGINA HOPE" rescued a South Korean oil tanker that exploded while sailing in the Yellow Sea. Beijing News reporter learned from the Hong Kong Maritime Department that the Georgina Hope rescued a total of 14 foreign crew members.

On the afternoon of July 14, the Georgina Hope rescued a South Korean oil tanker in distress. Photo provided by the interviewee

It is understood that the Georgina Hope, which carried out the rescue, is a 180,000-ton Capesize large bulk carrier with a total length of 295 meters and a draft of 18 meters. It is managed by Qinhuangdao Jinteng Shipping Company and all crew members are dispatched by Qinhuangdao Haichang Shipping Company.

Liu Tong, the captain of the Georgina Hope, told the Beijing News that at 13:05 on July 14, the Georgina Hope received a distress call from the Korean ship "KEOYOUNG DREAM 3" while sailing in the Yellow Sea near South Korea. At that time, the two ships were about 7 nautical miles (about 13 kilometers) apart.

Later, Liu Tong received a call from the crew of the distressed ship. During the call, the crew's tone was obviously full of panic and fear. "The caller said that the cargo oil tank of the ship exploded and the situation was very dangerous. We need to rescue the crew immediately."

After receiving the distress signal, Liu Tong immediately reported to the company and initiated the emergency response procedure. All crew members quickly gathered, prepared rescue equipment and facilities, and headed for the distressed ship. "The sea conditions were not very calm and the visibility was not very good, which affected the difficulty of turning around and returning to search and rescue at the beginning, and also affected the long-distance observation of the distressed ship." Liu Tong said.

A South Korean oil tanker in distress. Photo provided by the interviewee

At 13:55, the Georgina Hope approached the distressed ship. Liu Tong saw that the cargo hold at the head of the distressed ship was bulging due to the explosion, and the ship tilted to the right by about 15 degrees. The scene was filled with the smell of gasoline, but no obvious signs of oil entering the sea were found.

The Georgina Hope immediately released a rescue boat for rescue. When the rescue boat arrived, it found no open flames on the ship. The crew members, wearing orange life jackets, gathered outside the living area deck at the rear of the ship, ready to abandon the ship at any time. Liu Tong said that the ship in distress was an oil tanker, and there was a high probability of a secondary explosion. When the ship approached the ship in distress, it was difficult to maneuver and there was a risk of collision.

After several round trips, the Georgina Hope successfully rescued all 14 crew members in distress safely on board. No one was injured throughout the process, and the entire rescue process lasted 1 hour and 18 minutes.

The Chinese crew prepared food, water, warm blankets and medical supplies for the rescued foreign crew members, and provided the Korean captain of the distressed ship with communication tools to help him get in touch with the Korean Coast Guard. The 14 rescued crew members were transferred to the Korean Coast Guard rescue boat that arrived later.

It is reported that the 14 rescued crew members include 2 Koreans, 10 Indonesians and 2 Burmese.

That evening, the Hong Kong Maritime Department of China sent a letter of thanks to the captain of the Georgina Hope, Liu Tong, stating that the Georgina Hope had performed an excellent job in rescuing the distressed ship and highly praised the professionalism and sense of responsibility shown by the captain and crew.

A letter of thanks from the Hong Kong Marine Department to Liu Tong, the captain of the Georgina Hope. Photo provided by the interviewee

Editor Peng Chong Proofreader Li Lijun