Bulk Carrier First Margaux Strikes Chinese Fishing Vessel in Singapore Strait

At around 5 p.m. on September 17, the Panama-flagged bulk carrier First Margaux struck the Chinese fishing vessel Luqing Yuanyu 108 in the Singapore Strait. The bulk carrier is roughly 750 feet long. The fishing vessel is far smaller.

No injuries were reported among the crew of either vessel, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed. Forty Filipino seafarers were aboard the First Margaux. All forty have been identified by name, the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers said. Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said repatriation was the department's top priority, with officials coordinating with the crew's families, the bulk carrier's manning agency, and the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.

The fishing vessel tilted and took on water after the impact. It remained afloat and was later towed to Raffles Anchorage. Two bulk carriers collided off the Gujarat coast in September, leaving 21 crew to be rescued near Kandla. Separately, Turkish prosecutors detained nine of the tanker ALSU's crew after a September 2 collision in the Sea of Marmara left 10 missing.

Repatriation arrangements for the forty Filipino crew members are being made through the manning agency and the Philippine Embassy.