Thai military frigates and helicopters search for 23 missing sailors after naval vessel sinks

US-made corvette, the HTMS Sukothai, sank after suffering engine malfunction

Thailand’s military is in a race against time as they attempt to find 23 sailors from the HTMS Sukothai, a US-made corvette that sank just before midnight on Sunday.

The HTMS Kraburi, a Thai Warship, left port to resume search operations along with other naval vessels and two Seahawk helicopters early Tuesday to scour through the turbulent waters of the Gulf of Thailand with the hope of finding survivours.

The warship, a US-made corvette in use since 1987, capsized after it suffered an engine malfunction and started taking on water. It sank just about 20 nautical miles off the coast.

The vessel was carrying 105 members of the Royal Thai Navy when it was knocked over by big waves as water flooded its engines and choppy waters hampered the rescue of all members.

One marine was rescued alive on Tuesday from the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the navy said, Six were found dead. There were 23 marines still unaccounted for by Tuesday evening.

"The latest person was found 41 hours from when the ship sank and he was alive. So we believe that there are those still alive out there ... we will continue to search," said Admiral Chonlathis Navanugraha, the navy's chief of staff.

Expressing hope to find survivours, naval officer Narong Khumburi said the remaining men in the sea must be worn out by now.

“I am hopeful we will find some survivours,” he said, adding “they must be exhausted”.

Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, the regional navy commander, was a little hopeful, saying seamen have a 48-hour window to save their lives.

“Life jacket, life buoy and their floating technique allow us 48 hours to save their lives,” he said late on Monday. “We will try to do as much as we can to save them.”

Thai navy personnel and related officers carrying out the rescue of the Royal Thai Navy Sukhothai crew after the ship capsized (EPA)

HTMS Kraburi commander Kraiwit Kornraweeprapapitch said the weather has improved and will help search operations on Tuesday.

“The format of searching is still the same, which is a joint operation with helicopters,” he said.

His frigates with 176 crew members joined the search operation with HTMS Angthong, HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej to scour an area stretching more than 60 miles from Prachuab to upper Chumporn of the Gulf of Thailand.

A marine looks at the capsized HTMS Sukhothai warship in the Gulf of Thailand (via REUTERS)

“Currently, the HTMS Angthong ship is operating as a command centre for the search at sea while the HTMS Bhumibol frigate is on 24-hour patrol to search,” the Thai Navy said on Facebook page on Tuesday.

The man found late on Monday in waters off Prachuap Khiri Khan province was clinging to a buoy. Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Natee Timdee was found unconscious while floating in the sea, the navy said, adding that he suffered injuries on his head and ankles but his overall condition is fine.

“He was floating in the water for 10 hours. He was still conscious, so we could take him out of the water safely,” said Captain Kornraweeprapapitch said.

One of the three navy vessels was dispatched at 8.40pm local time to conduct the rescue operation before the Sukhothai went down at around midnight. The authorities said their efforts were hampered by strong winds and choppy waters on Sunday night.

The warship was pictured tipping down further and sinking. By that time, private boats and an oil tanker had reached to provide additional support.

The army is also preparing to salvage the sunken warship.