Three Fishermen Rescued After Boat Engine Fails in Storm off Phuket

Three Thai fishermen were rescued off Phuket’s eastern coast overnight on October 10–11 after their boat’s engine failed, leaving the vessel drifting at sea. Heavy rain, strong winds and rough waves complicated the rescue, forcing the first boat dispatched to assist them to abandon its attempt.

Details of the operation were released by the Third Naval Area’s Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC 3), which coordinated the response.

According to the agency’s report, the distress call was received at 10:20pm on October 10. The fishing boat, carrying three people, was approximately three nautical miles southeast of the Phuket Marine Police pier.

With its engine out of operation, the vessel was unable to move under its own power.

The first rescue craft sent to the scene was Rescue Boat No. 1 from the Pearl Center, operated by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO). It departed at 10:50pm but encountered heavy rain, high waves and strong winds beyond Cape Panwa. The conditions prevented the crew from proceeding safely, and the attempt was called off.

Phuket Marine Police then dispatched patrol boat No. 444. It left at 11:05pm and managed to navigate the stormy waters in darkness, reaching the disabled fishing boat at 11:40pm.

All three fishermen were alive and showed no visible signs of health problems. The police crew secured the fishing boat under tow and headed back towards shore through the Tha Chin Channel.

At 12:30am on October 11, both vessels arrived safely in Phuket. None of the fishermen was injured.

During the operation, Thai-MECC 3 also placed two Royal Thai Navy patrol vessels, T.114 and T.273, on standby. Their crews were prepared to assist if the Marine Police had been unable to complete the rescue.

The operation involved several agencies, as deteriorating weather conditions prevented the initial civilian rescue boat from reaching the stranded fishermen. The Marine Police ultimately brought all three men and their vessel safely back to shore.