MPA's search for missing crew members of tanker

Channel NewsAsia 23 May 09;

SINGAPORE: The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore and the Singapore Police Coast Guard have been conducting search operations for the two missing crew members of the tanker Vertex that caught fire off the coast of Changi on Monday.

One body was found in the vicinity of the tanker Vertex on Thursday.

The MPA says the body was transferred to the Singapore General Hospital mortuary and is pending identification.

MPA understands from the shipowner that the Malaysian Marine Police recovered another body Thursday afternoon.

The body was transferred to the Kota Tinggi mortuary and the shipowner is arranging for the body to be flown back to Indonesia.

MPA says it will continue with search efforts pending positive identification of the bodies.

The tanker Vertex has been moved from Singapore waters to the Johor Quarantine Anchorage.

- CNA/yt