SMOOTH SEA 22

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Debris of tanker to be recovered

The Harbour Department had suspended the operations of the 'Smooth Sea 22' and the port in which it exploded. The shipping companysent a crane ship to recover a large steel plate that was thrown into the sea. There were reportedly more parts that are submerged and would need to be retrieved. The cause of the explosion was still being investigated by the local authorities. A total of eight bodies have been recovered during the search after the explosion. The Harbour Master has also started collecting data for the investigations, including interrogations of the ship repair company, contractor and pier personnel. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) used its satellites to survey the area and no oil leak was detected around the vessel as of Jan 18.

Eight workers confirmed dead

Six more workers were found dead on Jan 17 after the explosion and fire aboard the 'Smooth Sea 22' at the Ruammitr dockyard on the Mae Klong River just south of Bangkok, Thailand on Jan 17 around 9.25 a.m. At the time, there were 27 dock workers on board or near the vessel. Many people were initially reported missing, but the vast majority were later found. A search was launched, with rescuers from various foundations taking part. On Jan 17, two charred bodies were discovered. On Jan 18 at 9.10 a.m. a third body was discovered in the river and brought ashore at Wat Pak Samut pier, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to three. Five more workers’ bodies were discovered later. The rescue team confirmed that eight workers had been found dead in total. Four other workers were hurt. Two of those killed were Myanmar workers. A severed right ankle was also discovered by the search team. It was unknown from whose body it came. The Marine Department will investigate the explosion and consider compensation for those affected by the blast. An investigation committee was formed whose findings are expected in 10 days. The Marine Department will consult with the company, Smooth Sea, and Samut Songkhram agencies about compensation for the injured, families of those killed, and other people affected by the explosion. Houses on both sides of the river were damaged by flying debris and the blast’s shockwave. Report with photo: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/news/oil-tanker-explosion-in-thailand/

Second body found after explosion

After the explosion of the 'Smooth Sea 22' at the Ruammitr Dockyard in pos. 13 22 23 N, 099 59 32 E, seven crew members remained missing with one dock worker being dead. Four other crew members were injured due to the incident. A second body was found burned beyond recognition inside the vessel. The explosion occurred during welding works, when about 10 workers were aboard the vessel and about 30 others were on the bank of the dockyard. The ship was rocked by two explosions, a first explosion tearing apart and throwing a section of the vessel into the sea, before another intense explosion ripped through the hull, engulfing the ship in flames. The tanker still had 25 tons of fuel oil and 20 tons of diesel on board. Firefighters had to use foam as well as water to quell the flames. Mueang Samut Songkram Fire Station was at the scene, where smoke still billowsed from the tanker as of noon on Jan 17. The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare was investigating the cause of the fire. The provincial labour protection office questioned the employer and other people to determine if there was any violation of the Occupational Health Safety Act. The blast was heard as far as 10 kilometres away. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre reported that the explosion shattered the glass windows of nearby houses resulting in two injuries.