Search and Rescue Operations - Update 7

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continued to coordinate Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the four missing crew members of the capsized Bolivia-flagged barge Heng Hong 168 for the eighth day today. The barge capsized on 19 December 2013 in Singapore waters about three nautical miles west of Horsburgh Lighthouse.

The identity of the body recovered on 24 December 2013 is still being verified by the Indonesian authorities. It is still not clear whether this is one of the missing crew members from Heng Hong 168.

As of 1700 hours (Singapore time) today, SAR operations involved a total of two Super Puma helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, three patrol vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy, three Police Coast Guard patrol craft, assets from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Royal Malaysian Navy and Indonesia's Rescue Sub-centre Tanjung Pinang, divers and a diving support vessel from Resolve Salvage & Fire (Asia), and 270 passing commercial vessels.

For media enquiries, please call MPA's media hotline at 8366 2293.

End of release.