The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre in Surat Thani province received a distress call from the Koh Tao Rescue Centre on March 16 at 9:25 am, reporting a fire on a tour boat named Davy Jones Locker. The boat was carrying 22 people on a diving excursion around Koh Tao. The authorities immediately launched a rescue operation to assist the passengers and crew in distress.
The Davy Jones Locker, a 23.29-gross-ton passenger vessel with a license valid until Nov 24, 2025, caught fire while transporting tourists from Koh Tao to a diving site at Southwest Pinnacle, located approximately five to six nautical miles from Koh Tao. The boat had a total of 22 individuals on board, including crew members, diving instructors, and tourists. Local agencies, private vessels, and volunteers worked together to evacuate everyone safely onto another boat.
As efforts were made to contain the fire, which initially damaged the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom, one person was reported missing. The missing individual was identified as a British woman named Alexandra. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation. After the fire was extinguished, authorities conducted a thorough check of the passengers to ensure their safety and well-being.
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