HTMS Sukhothai - Crew Abandon Ship

[PeteC]

HTMS Kraburi that reached the vessel before it sank is a Chinese built Frigate 1,924 tons, FFG-457/1995

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_e ... vy#Frigate

[Big Boy]

Details of the Ratanakosin Class of ships of which the Sukhothai was one:

http://www.wings-aviation.ch/45-Thai%20 ... sis-en.htm

[Big Boy]

HTMS Kraburi that reached the vessel before it sank is a Chinese built Frigate 1,924 tons, FFG-457/1995

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_e ... vy#Frigate

Wow somebody didn't hang about. HTMS Sukhothai has already been removed from your list Pete.

[Big Boy]

Just looking at the first photo in the OP, the Kraburi was able to get very close to the Sukhothai in such ferocious winds ...............

Either very brave/foolish, or is somebody being a little loose with the truth?

[PeteC]

Details of the Ratanakosin Class of ships of which the Sukhothai was one:

http://www.wings-aviation.ch/45-Thai%20 ... sis-en.htm

Note on your link as "Decommissioned Today".

[Nereus]

.................or is somebody being a little loose with the truth?

Nowhere near as loose as it will be in the next couple of days!

[PeteC]

Yes, unless there is a real bloodhound reporter on the story who doesn't care about his future, the story may well disappear by New Year with no conclusive details released. Hope I'm wrong, which is likely if they need to hang someone, or a few, with the cause of it all to save overall face.

[Big Boy]

I see there were a few nautical casualties last night. The translation (for what it's worth) states tidal wave.

https://www.khaosod.co.th/breaking-news/news_7421235

[Nereus]

Thailand launches rescue operation for 33 missing sailors after navy ship sinks

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-19/ ... /101789240

The HTMS Sukhothai reportedly suffered an engine malfunction before it sank. (AP: Royal Thai Navy)

sukothai.jpg (93.8 KiB) Viewed 1011 times

[PeteC]

^Khaosod story translation

Revealing the tidal wave 4 shipwrecks already! Sorn Chon. Alerts 9 provinces on both sides of the Thai sea.

Sorn Chon. Warns 9 provinces on both coasts of Thailand Ask the public to follow the hourly weather forecast news. After the accident, 4 ships were wrecked, including the HTMS Sukhothai.

On December 19, 2022, from the weather in the south-east coast with thunderstorms. The waves are more than 4 meters high during this period, affecting all types of navigation . because the ship lost its balance container Many of them fell off the ship and caused the ship to lean to the right. Known coordinates about 5.7 nautical miles from Pak Nam Chumphon or about 9.5 km. Pak Nam Subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon Province

Until 8:32 a.m., I was informed of the latest situation that the crew of 10 people were still floating on the sea surface waiting for help, with the PATARAVARIN 88 ship helping all the crew.

Meteorological Department The situation was reported that it was caused by the strong northeast monsoon that prevailed over the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Causing heavy to very heavy rainfall in many areas in the lower South

In addition, Sorn Chon also received a report on the situation of the boat yesterday (December 18) from Sorn Chon Region 2. In the early morning , the fishing boat Sor Nopparat 4 sank, located 30 nautical miles (56 km) southwest. from Samae San Island All rescued crew returned to Samae San Island.

Cases have also been reported. Excellency 2 container ship Containing 36 rubberwood containers and 9 crew members asking for help, the ship was sunk by wind waves at the coordinates away from Samui Boat Station. Surat Thani Province, about 35 nautical miles (65 km). Later, the entire crew was rescued. Approximately 30 containers were seen blowing into the area of ​​Chaiya District, officials from the Surat Thani Regional Harbor Authority. Inspected

Then, around the same time, Sorn Chon, Region 2 was informed that Supsunan Boat Squid net fishing boat with crew of 5 people asking for help. The boat is being sunk by wind waves. The coordinates are 19 nautical miles from the mouth of Songkhla Waterway, about 35 km.

An oil tanker named Pattaraphan ran aground near the mouth of Songkhla Lake watercourse. The condition of the boat is shallow only at the stern area. The bow remained afloat. The boat company is in the process of evaluating the wind and wave situation. To consider in restoring the boat again when the waves are calm.

Until last night (December 18), at 11:33 p.m., the Royal Ship Sukhothai Wrecked at a distance of 16 nautical miles (30 km) east of Bang Saphan District, of 106 personnel, more than 70 people have been rescued, and the rest are scattered on nearby commercial and oil tankers. shipwreck point Four people were reported seriously injured.

Sorn Chon. therefore would like to warn people in the south-eastern coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Surat Thani, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Phetchaburi, Hua Hin (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Koh Samui (Surat Thani), Phatthalung and Hat Yai, Songkhla to beware of danger from the waves that hit the shore. Mariners in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea navigate with caution. and small boats should refrain from leaving the shore And please continue to follow the weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department.

[Nereus]

My first thought, having spent a lot of time on small ships:

https://www.wartsila.com/encyclopedia/t ... phenomenon

Broaching-to phenomenon

Large following waves acting on the ship can force her to move with the same speed – the ship begins to move with the wave simultaneously. This is known as surf-riding. The majority of ships are directionally unstable during surf-riding so the ship can experience an unsteered turn to a beam position relative to the waves. Such uncontrolled turning is know as broaching-to phenomenon.

But at the same time, all watertight deck openings SHOULD have been closed.

An earier report stated that the sea had flooded through the engine exhaust pipe! That outlet is about the highest part of the deck, and under normal heeling the exhaust stack would not get anywhere near the sea. There is a photo of one of the sister ships that show the exhaust stack.

edit: add photo of sister ship: http://www.wings-aviation.ch/45-Thai%20 ... sis-en.htm

HTMS-441-06.jpg (71.5 KiB) Viewed 996 times

[Big Boy]

Yes, I've been thinking the same. On a modern warship, watertight doors should have been closed in such conditions. So even if water did get down the exhaust pipe, just one compartment should have been flooded. I don't believe such flooding should have been so catastrophic. OK, this baby was getting on for 40 years old, but the watertight doors should have worked fine.

I guess they were complacent, and did not expect the unexpected. The ship was built by the US, so absolute safety should have been a consideration. However, they are very heavily armed for small craft, so maybe a little top heavy, which wouldn't have helped.

[Nereus]

There has been some footage on ABC (Aust) TV, and the comment made by one of the survivors was that the waves were 3 metres high. I can make a bigger a wave than that farting in the swimming pool!

There may have been a rogue wave, except that it would be unlikely to be in the same place where the other vessels were sunk. High winds will make a vessel heel, more so if you allow the wind to be on the beam of the ship, combined with big seas.

Water down the exhaust pipe will stall an engine, but unlikely to get any further in any large quantity.

[Nereus]

Bangkok Post showing a long report. Posted that the ship heeled 60 degrees and the main engine quit.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rs-missing

[HHTel]

Does it say which direction the ship was sailing?
When I was at sea during a storm, the ship would 'hove to'. That is steering into the waves, slow but enough speed to maintain steerage.
As Nereus pointed out, following the wave often leads to a loss of steerage so basically is out of control to a degree.
And, as BB pointed out, in such weather, all watertight doors should have been closed. There was a well known photo many years ago of a warship returning to port after being broke in two. Saved entirely by watertight doors. That pic was shown many times whilst I was in the RN to emphasise the importance of those doors.

As far as the exhaust goes, these are at the highest point, as on this ship, and are angled to the aft of the ship.

I doubt we'll ever get the true details, but something doesn't add up.