Late in the evening of October 4, 2025, a routine night of fishing off the coast of Vietnam took a tragic turn. The Vietnamese fishing vessel BD 83019-TS, a 22.6-meter-long boat powered by an 800 CV engine and captained by Nguyen Tran Ut, was operating roughly 17 nautical miles southeast of Ca Na sea gate, Khanh Hoa province. The vessel, which had set out earlier that day from the Ca Na border checkpoint with a crew of 11, was carrying out its usual net-fishing operations. But at about 10:30 p.m., disaster struck.
According to reports from the Bao Nguoi Lao Dong and Tuoi Tre, the BD 83019-TS was rammed and sunk by the South Korean oil tanker MS FAVOR (IMO 009448853), which was traveling on a south-to-north route through the area. The collision was sudden and catastrophic. Within moments, the fishing vessel was taking on water and heading for the depths.
In the chaos that followed, the crew of BD 83019-TS managed to send out an emergency distress signal before their vessel was completely submerged. Fortunately, help was not far away. The fishing vessel BV 95869-TS, captained by Nguyen Van Tao of Cat Tien commune, Gia Lai province, was operating nearby. Responding swiftly to the distress call, Tao and his crew navigated to the scene and managed to rescue 10 of the 11 fishermen from the water. The survivors, shaken but alive, were later transported back toward Ca Na port in Khanh Hoa province for medical attention and debriefing.
But not everyone made it out. The captain of BD 83019-TS, Nguyen Tran Ut, was nowhere to be found. Fellow fishermen and rescue authorities suspect that Ut, who was both the owner and captain of the ill-fated vessel, may have been trapped inside the cabin as the boat went down. As of the afternoon of October 5, search and rescue operations were still underway, coordinated by Gia Lai province authorities in conjunction with the Border Guard, Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Search and Rescue Centers from regions II and IV. The sense of urgency was palpable, as every passing hour diminished hopes of finding Ut alive.
The incident has raised serious questions about accountability and maritime safety in the busy waters off Vietnam’s coast. One detail, reported by Tuoi Tre and corroborated by other outlets, has sparked particular outrage among local fishermen and officials: after the collision, the South Korean oil tanker MS FAVOR reportedly continued its voyage without stopping to assist in search and rescue efforts. Nguyen Hung, captain of the fishing vessel BD 93966 TS, who was near the accident site, told local media that "after the collision, the South Korean oil tanker continued its journey without organizing search and rescue." This account has been echoed by the authorities overseeing the response.
Colonel Nguyen The Vinh, commander of the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command, confirmed the basic facts and the ongoing rescue efforts. "On the morning of October 5, we received the report from the Cat Khanh Border Post regarding the sinking of fishing vessel BD-83019," Vinh stated, as reported by Tuoi Tre. "After the accident, the cargo ship continued its journey and did not organize search and rescue." The lack of immediate aid from the foreign tanker has led to calls for a thorough investigation into the actions of its crew and the company that owns the vessel.
In response to the tragedy, the Gia Lai Border Guard Command and other local authorities have moved quickly to coordinate with national and regional agencies. Official requests have been made to the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Maritime Search and Rescue Centers in regions II and IV to deploy resources to the search effort. There have also been proposals to notify the Maritime Administration and relevant port authorities to track the movements of the South Korean oil tanker, ensuring that the incident is properly addressed and that any potential legal violations are investigated.
The fishing community in Gia Lai and neighboring provinces has been left reeling by the loss. For many, the sea is both a livelihood and a source of danger—a reality brought home by this latest tragedy. The BD 83019-TS, with its 11 crew members, was a typical example of the region’s small- to medium-scale fishing operations. Vessels like these are the backbone of local economies, providing income and sustenance for families up and down the coast. But as this incident shows, they are also vulnerable to the hazards posed by larger, faster-moving commercial ships that traverse the same waters.
The case has also highlighted the need for improved safety protocols and clearer lines of responsibility when accidents occur at sea, especially involving foreign vessels. The fact that the MS FAVOR allegedly failed to stop and render assistance after the collision is not just a violation of maritime norms but could constitute a breach of international law, depending on the circumstances and the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Vietnamese authorities have not minced words about the gravity of the situation. The Gia Lai Border Guard Command has formally proposed that the provincial People’s Committee and the National Search and Rescue Committee mobilize additional resources for the search and rescue mission. There are also calls for the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Transport to coordinate closely, both to find the missing captain and to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
As of the afternoon of October 5, the search for Nguyen Tran Ut continues. The rescued crew members are recovering at Ca Na port, supported by local officials and their families. Meanwhile, the broader fishing community is watching closely, hoping for answers—and perhaps, against the odds, for a miracle.
For now, the loss of BD 83019-TS and its captain stands as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those who make their living from the sea, and of the need for vigilance, accountability, and compassion on the part of all who share the world’s oceans.
