Crew member was killed after explosion of machine during maintenance
The government has ordered the Royal Thai Navy to join efforts to rescue an oil storage vessel operated by a unit of Chevron Corp that was damaged earlier this week during a routine maintenance in the Gulf of Thailand.
The navy will focus on helping the crew in plugging a leak that has led to water seeping into the hull of the ship, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday. They will also take steps to prevent oil spill as the crude carrier is carrying 400,000 barrels of crude oil.
Sea water seeped into FSO Bechamas 2 on Tuesday following the explosion of a machine during routine maintenance. One crew member was killed in the explosion, while the remaining 28 members are safe and the ship was in a steady condition, according to Mr Anucha.
The vessel is stationed now at 207 kilometres (129 miles) from Sattahip naval base in eastern province of Chon Buri. The navy will assist in recovering the body of the dead crew member and has readied action plans in the event of an oil spill, Mr Anucha said.
There was so far no report of crude oil leakage, he added.