The MSC Hermes III, a 2,490 TEU containership, is still adrift in the South China Sea. It was evacuated following an unspecified emergency. It has been reported as an abandoned vessel, drifting without a crew 300 km east of the Vietnamese coast.
According to the information available, the cargo ship did not sink following the distress alert issued a few days ago and is continuing to drift slowly, carried by the currents.
However, numerous questions remain unanswered. At present, no official details have been released about what led the vessel to be abandoned, whilst rumours – yet to be confirmed by the authorities – continue to circulate about a possible fire on board. Furthermore, there have been no reports of ocean-going tugs being dispatched or of operations having begun to salvage and secure the ship.
The distress call had been sent on the morning of 22nd September to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Singapore. The vessel was flying a Liberian flag. Three ships in the area responded to the request for assistance. All 25 crew members left the containership in a lifeboat and were subsequently rescued by the MSC Ruby; no injuries were reported.
Translation by Giles Foster
