A product tanker hits and sinks a tug 5 nm off the coast of Rupat Island in the Straits of Malacca.
| Accident | : Collision |
| Vessels Type | : Crude oil tanker and freighter |
| Location | : 5 nm off the coast of Rupat Island in the Straits of Malacca |
| Casualties | : Two crew members missing |
| Pollution | : Not reported |
An Aframax crude oil tanker collided with coastal freighter in tow with a barge in Malacca Strait on 5 nautical miles east off Pulau Rupat island. The barge washed up ashore. Two crewmembers out of four aboard are missing.
The coastal freighter sank near the Riau Bay following the collision. The master of the oil tanker broadcasted a man-overboard message to request assistance from passing vessels. Immediately local fishermen came for assistance and rescued two of the crew members of the sinking tug. Efforts to rescue the missing two crew members are underway.
Both the vessels were proceeding on crossing courses in good weather and visibility. The exact cause of the collision is still unknown. The freighter was enroute Ayu to Bengkalis . All the crew on board were Indonesians. It is expected that the collision was caused by violation of the ColReg. There are no reports of pollution after the incident.
