The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) rescued all 16 crew members from the Panama-flagged general cargo vessel Sealloyd Arc that sank off Phuket at the weekend.
The Bangladeshi nationals were brought ashore uninjured following a coordinated response to the vessel's distress signal.
Sealloyd Arc, measuring 115 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 4 339 and deadweight of 6 479 tonnes, was en route from Port Klang in Malaysia to Chattogram in Bangladesh.
It was carrying 297 containers, including 14 declared as hazardous materials.
The ship issued a distress call around 15.20 local time on February 7, reporting rapid water ingress and a severe list near Ko Kaeo Yai, west of Promthep Cape, about three nautical miles offshore from Laem Phromthep.
Vice admiral Weerudom Muangjeen, Commander of the Third Naval Area Command and Director of Region 3 Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC), ordered immediate assistance.
The navy deployed high-speed patrol boats that coordinated rescue efforts with local vessels, including a fishing boat, and the Naraintorn Khai Muk Phuket Centre.
A local fishing boat recovered eight crew members, while a Phuket Provincial Administration patrol boat retrieved the remaining eight, including the captain. Survivors were transferred to the government vessel and taken to Chalong Bay Pier. No injuries were reported.
The RTN monitored the listing Sealloyd Arc, which sank at approximately 21:00 local time. Some containers sank with the ship, while others floated free, with more than 200 reportedly scattered at sea after initial assessments.
An oil sheen developed from approximately 98 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 32 tonnes of marine diesel on board, stretching westward, about 4.5 miles (7.2km) long and one mile (1.6km) wide. No oil had reached Phuket's coastline by Tuesday.
Muangjeen said the navy was working with relevant agencies on plans to salvage the vessel.
Thai-MECC has established a situation command centre under the National Maritime Interests Protection Act, dividing operations between oil-spill containment and floating container searches.
Challenges included limited visibility, equipment shortages and a delayed crane barge.
A joint operational plan meeting occurred on February 9 at Third Naval Area Command Headquarters in Laem Panwa. Patrol boats and reconnaissance aircraft continued with surveillance.
