Incident last weekend - luckily no-one hurt. Sometimes a problem with this overnight motoring but first incident of this nature for some time.
MV Oriental Queen (a malaysian registered live-aboard) met an accident last Saturday at about 1.00am. The boat was ship wrecked in Pulau Sepoi off Tioman. All crew and divers were unhurt and have since returned home safely.
It was OQ's first trip of the season after a refurbishment and new equipment added. It had been chartered for the Easter weekend to Kuantan Wreck and Tioman.
An account given by some divers - After two dives at Kuantan Wreck and a dusk dive at Veralla Rock on Friday, OQ was sailing towards Tulai in Tioman. At about 1.00am, the boat crashed into the island. The bow was badly damaged. The impact left a big hole at the bow and water gushed in. Alarm sounded. Everyone onboard proceeded to evacuate the boat. Some went for the rubber boat and some swam to the island. Shortly after, a fishing boat nearby was alerted to the rescue. OQ was laying on her side 30mins after the collision at 2-3m depth of water.
It was believed that the master had fallen asleep at the wheel.
MV Oriental Queen (a malaysian registered live-aboard) met an accident last Saturday at about 1.00am. The boat was ship wrecked in Pulau Sepoi off Tioman. All crew and divers were unhurt and have since returned home safely.
It was OQ's first trip of the season after a refurbishment and new equipment added. It had been chartered for the Easter weekend to Kuantan Wreck and Tioman.
An account given by some divers - After two dives at Kuantan Wreck and a dusk dive at Veralla Rock on Friday, OQ was sailing towards Tulai in Tioman. At about 1.00am, the boat crashed into the island. The bow was badly damaged. The impact left a big hole at the bow and water gushed in. Alarm sounded. Everyone onboard proceeded to evacuate the boat. Some went for the rubber boat and some swam to the island. Shortly after, a fishing boat nearby was alerted to the rescue. OQ was laying on her side 30mins after the collision at 2-3m depth of water.
It was believed that the master had fallen asleep at the wheel.
