1 dead, 3 missing in S'pore Naval ship
mishap
By Bertha Henson, Straits Times
SINGAPORE -- Rescuers found the body of one of the four women
trapped in the aft of the RSS Courageous. It was wedged between two
beds in the sleeping quarters of the anti-submarine patrol
vessel.
The ship, now at Changi Naval Base, is still being drained of water
to allow rescuers to search for the other three women who are
full-time specialists in weapons and equipment.
The Defence Ministry has declined to name the woman, as her
next-of-kin has yet to be notified.
The Singapore Navy anti-submarine ship that was rammed by a
container vessel close to midnight on Friday was towed back to
Changi Naval Base earlier on Saturday.
Dr Tony Tan earlier conceded that rescue operations were
'complicated' as it was 'difficult' to get into the aft.
Airforce and naval vessels are still combing the area in 'search
and rescue operations' even though the ship is back to shore.
The ship was 'uplifted' to locate the women
STTV footage showed that the back portion of the ship had been
crushed. The Dutch-registered ANL Indonesia suffered just minor
scratches at the stern.
None of its 23 Indonesian and Dutch crew members were injured. The
55,000 tonne vessel heading towards South Korea is now docked at
Singapore's Eastern Anchorage, pending investigations by the
Maritime Port Authority and Police . Mindef will also be conducting
separate investigations.
