MV Dayang Topaz Incident
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On Wednesday, 27th October 2020, an incident occured with the MV Dayang Topaz at around 6.45am in the morning off the shores of Baram, Miri.
According to news sources, the offshore support vessel - which was built in 2012 - had reportedly broke from its anchor during bad weather amid high waves and high winds, and drifted uncontrollably before colliding with the nearby Baram B oil platform, which resulted in heavy damage to both the platform and the ship, with the latter taking on water. The ship sent out a distress signal which prompted nearby ships to assist.
What happened during that was unclear, but most of the onboard numbering 125 had evacuated, abandoned, or simply just fell overboard from the ship during or after the collision and was scattered in the sea, which prompted an intense search and rescue operation.
The last of those drifting at sea was found at around 2pm in the afternoon that, but unfortunately the accident had taken two lives.
The company that owned the vessel later on reported that the vessel had not sunk (which was what had been initially reported), but was badly damaged by the accident.
Photos from the Maritime Department
Located near Kuala Baram River Mouth (previous Ferry Terminal), a pleasant scenic coastal drive along Miri-Kuala Baram Road from Miri will take you to the Crocodile Farm in 20 minutes. The first and the largest Crocodile Farm in the northern region of Sarawak.
Gloria Hotel and Golden Restaurant along Brooke Road is familiar to many Mirians
The Tomb of Dato Permaisuri that of a legend of a beautiful princess who has settled down in Miri after a shipwreck. In recognition of her unselfish services to the local muslim community, her tomb was gazetted by the Sarawak Government to be part of the Miri heritage.
The other momentous event in 1957 was the decision made by the oil company to relinquish some 75% of the land concession in the hinterland of Sarawak after explorationary surveys had shown no indications of oil. 