Royal Thai Navy Patrol Ship Accidentally Fires On Fellow Warship, 14 Injured

The HTMS Chonburi, a Royal Thai Navy patrol vessel, accidentally fired on another Thai war vessel, injuring 14 of the crew members on 14 March. Thai media reported that the vessel’s captain was transferred some days later.

The HTMS Chonburi was docked at the Sattahip Naval Base in the Chon Buri province of Thailand when its gun ended up malfunctioning and fired a shell that struck the frigate HTMS Khirirat’s rear and sparked a fire on the vessel, per the Bangkok Post.

The firefighters were immediately called to the scene for subduing HTMS Khirirat’s fire.

The HTMS Chonburi returned to the naval base for sensitive gun repairs after the crew members were not able to remove more than two 76mm shells from the deck gun’s loading system during a drill on 13 March, the day before the accident. The 76-mm gun fired while the crew members tried to clear the jam.

The HTMS Chonburi’s cannon-safety mechanism is 40+ years old. Following the accident, its commander, Lt. Commander Theeranai Laosing, was transferred to an “inactive position,” according to reports from The Nation Thailand.

The navy of Thailand is closely investigating Laosing and his involvement in the incident, Chalermchai Suankaew, the Royal Thai Navy Patrol Squadron commander mentioned on Wednesday.

The HTMS Khirirat, which was docked in front of the HTMS Chonburi at the time of the incident, has operated for nearly 50 years as a patrol war vessel and was developed by the US-based Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation.

It is not yet evident why the trial to clear the misfire went so wrong. However, basic safety practices may not have been followed, such as ensuring the vessel’s gun turret was not trained on yet another vessel.

The Royal Thai Navy stated on Tuesday that five of 14 injured crew members of the HTMS Khirirat were injured primarily owing to smoke inhalation following an investigation.

Those who experienced minor injuries were discharged, and the crew members with serious injuries were placed in a particular care facility. Royal Thai Fleet’s chief Admiral Chatchai Thongsaard mentioned that the Royal Thai Navy would compensate those injured.

Reference: Business Insider

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Source: Maritime Shipping News