Swiber Holdings' tugboat 'Swiber Charlton' fortuitously picked up a Thai man floating in open water 'twixt Vietnam & Singapore.
“Swiber Charlton” was on its way back from Vung Tau, Vietnam to Singapore when the crew spotted at a far distance, a man floating but alive, in the open waters of the South China Sea.
The vessel closed, a lifebuoy was thrown to him, and the survivor was brought up on the deck where he was quickly administered first aid. He did not incur any serious injuries and was assessed physically well. Initially, the crew only knew that he was a Thai fisherman – as he could only speak and write in Thai. He was later identified as 19-year old Mr. Montri Srirak from Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
On arrival in Singapore the Thai Embassy was been able to issue the man a Certificate of Identity – to serve as a temporary travel document for his repatriation to Thailand. It was not revealed how he came to be in the water.
Said Mr. Raymond Goh, Executive Chairman of Swiber : “ I am so grateful that our vessel was just in the right place at the right time, to save this man’s life and return him safely back to his family. I am proud of the quick thinking and quick action of the captain and crew of Swiber Charlton as well as those on the ground for their immediate coordination with the proper authorities. There is indeed a higher purpose for our lives - it will seek us - even as we normally carry on through our day. I am glad that Swiber Charlton’s team realised theirs last Thursday.” We salute Captain Vicky Kirojan and the rest of his crew for this miracle at sea and we wish Mr. Montri Srirak a safe journey back home!