LNG Carrier Receives Letter of Appreciation for Rescue

January 05, 2010

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced that its operated LNG carrier LNG Pioneer received a letter of appreciation from Australia Border Patrol for the rescue of 18 people.

At around 7 a.m. (local time) on November 1, the LNG Pioneer was under way in the Indian Ocean from Hazira, India, to the Australian port of Dampier, when it received a request from the Australian authority to assist a ship in distress.

The vessel immediately rushed to the scene and found the ship about 1,300km west of Salet Sunda. It searched the area and rescued 18 people, then picked up nine more who had been rescued by a fishing boat.

The vessel stayed in the area until in the morning of November 4 to continue the search for missing persons, then brought all 27 rescued persons at Australia's Christmas Islands on the 6th.

After the rescue operation, the Australian Maritime Safety Agency contacted the LNG Pioneer, to personally thank the captain and crew members for their lifesaving contribution.

Outline of LNG Pioneer

Gross ton:

93,786 ton

Tank capacity:

138,000m³

Built in:

2005

Flag:

Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Ship management company:

MOLNG Transport (Europe) Ltd.