A joint emergency operation between Malaysia and Vietnam successfully rescued 15 crew members from the cargo ship Kayo after it began listing and later developed a serious leak while sailing through Malaysian waters late on 5 December.
All those on board, including 13 Vietnamese nationals, one Indian citizen and one Bangladeshi citizen, were brought safely ashore and are reported to be in stable condition.
The incident occurred at 11:21 p.m. (Vietnam time) when the Kayo, a 92-metre-long and 16-metre-wide cargo vessel carrying clay from Lumut Port, Malaysia, to Hon Gai in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province, suddenly tilted 15 degrees to the right and lost stability.
At the time, the ship was navigating in conditions with northeast winds of force 4–5 and waves between 1 and 2 metres.
Following the unexpected list, the ship’s captain issued a distress call. The alert was first received through the Hai Phong Coastal Information Station, after which the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre contacted its Malaysian counterpart to request urgent intervention.
Vietnamese authorities also reported the situation to the Vietnam Maritime Administration and the National Civil Defence Steering Committee.
According to the information provided by Malaysian officials, the vessel was later confirmed to have suffered a serious leak while transiting approximately 59 nautical miles northeast of Merchang, near 05-20N; 104-13E, about 65 nautical miles east of the Malaysian coast.
Upon receiving the request, Malaysia’s Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kuantan activated emergency procedures and instructed the Kayo to move closer to land to reduce the risk of sinking.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deployed the patrol vessel KM Sebatik, which reached the scene during the night to monitor the ship and provide guidance.
KM Sebatik later facilitated the safe transfer of all 15 crew members at a position around five nautical miles east of Kampung Jambu Bongkok in Marang.
The rescued personnel, aged between 21 and 54, were transported to the Kemaman Maritime Zone jetty, arriving at approximately 6:05 p.m. on 6 December.
Malaysian officials said the crew underwent health checks upon arrival and were subsequently handed over to their agents.
The Kemaman Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah, stated through an official agency release that the success of the operation was due to the preparedness of personnel and the effectiveness of the search-and-rescue coordination network.
Vietnamese authorities later confirmed that all crew members from the Kayo were safe and did not require medical assistance.
