Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Rescue at sea ends hours-long ordeal

Rescue at sea ends hours-long ordeal

Rescue at sea ends hours-long ordeal

After enduring hours lost in turbulent waters, seven men were rescued yesterday after being flung from their fishing boat as it overturned in an early morning storm off Sihanoukville, officials said.

According to Seng Phuk, provincial deputy military police chief, the men were fishing near the island of Koh Rong when a storm hit at about 4:20am and overturned their boat.

It was nearly six hours before navy forces were able to locate and pull the first five men from the ocean near Manor Island, said Seng Phuk, adding that no one was injured.

However, it was not until 2pm, after nearly 10 hours spent stranded at sea, that the last two fishermen were rescued, Chin Sarin, Sihanoukville governor, confirmed.

“Because of the strong wind and big waves, it was difficult for [the rescue team] to take them out of the water,” he said.

“They were sent to their home safely, and their boat was not so damaged,” he said.

Chin Sarin explained that authorities often warn fishermen not to set out for sea when it is raining, but they often ignore these restrictions, which have been put in place by the Water Resources and Meteorology Department.

“Some fishermen want to go fishing [during storms], because they know that they can catch more rare kinds of fish during the rain,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm