
PHUKET — Safety measures and swift emergency response prevented potential tragedy on Monday when a luxury catamaran sank off the coast of Phuket, leading to the successful rescue of all 38 people aboard, including 33 Chinese tourists.
The 16 million baht ($460K) vessel, Amy Ray 888, began taking on water during a day trip to Racha Island when a starboard window failure allowed waves to flood the boat. According to the ship’s manager, the incident unfolded around 12:30 p.m., with the vessel taking approximately 20 minutes to sink completely.
“The mandatory life jacket policy proved crucial,” said Nachapong Pranit, director of the Phuket Regional Harbor Office. “All passengers were wearing their life jackets when the emergency occurred, allowing them to stay safely afloat until rescue arrived.”

The emergency response demonstrated effective coordination between nearby vessels and authorities. Tourist boats in the vicinity, including the Rhapsody and Pla Maliwun, immediately responded to the distress call, retrieving passengers from the water and distributing them between Racha Yai Island, Coral Island, and the rescue vessels.
Seven people sustained minor injuries, mostly scrapes and bruises, and were later transported to Chalong Pier where Tourist Police had assembled a response team including translators to assist the affected tourists. Officials also notified the Chinese consulate about the incident.

The Amy Ray 888, a 44.39-gross-ton catamaran registered in October 2014, was operating with a valid license set to expire in April 2025. Among those rescued were 33 Chinese tourists, one tour guide, one intern, and three crew members.
Maritime authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the window failure that led to the sinking. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols in marine tourism operations.
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