August 26, 2009:

Cargo Ship Sinks

A Thai-registered cargo ship has sunk in storms in the Andaman Sea, but all crew escaped on life rafts.

The 3,200-dwt vessel, named as Chart 1, was carrying 1,200 teak logs from Burma to Vietnam when it went down off Phang Nga, Thailand, on Sunday.

The Thai navy responded to distress calls by sending a ship to find the vessel, which was still afloat 55 kilometers north of Phuket.

Rough seas had battered the elderly ship, causing multiple leaks, including into the engine room.

The crew comprised seven Thais, including the captain, four Indonesians, and five Burmese. None was seriously injured.

Any potential pollution from the ship is being monitored.