Dive yacht sinks off Tubbataha, Palawan; 28 rescued, four still missing

A dive yacht sank off Tubbataha, Palawan on Sunday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The vessel has been identified as M/Y Dream Keeper.

The PCG said its Command Center received information at 6:49 a.m. from the Coast Guard District Palawan regarding the yacht's sinking.

Search and rescue (SAR) operations have been launched participated in by PCG's BRP Melchora Aquino, Coast Guard Sub-Station Tubbataha and other dive boats in the area.

As of mid-morning on Sunday, 28 have been rescued while four remain missing, the PCG said.

M/Y Dream Keeper departed San Remegio, Cebu City on Thursday, April 27, and arrived at Tubbataha Reef on Saturday, April 29, at 10 p.m., it added.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said of those rescued, four were Chinese nationals.

Meanwhile, the four still missing are the dive master, the yacht owner, and two passengers, he added.

"Baka magpadala pa ng air assets kung kinakailangan," Balilo said, adding that they already talked to the Armed Forces' Western Command about this.

(Air assets may also be deployed if needed.)

The yacht is one of those that accommodates tourists to give them a diving experience in Tubbataha Reef, he said.

Balilo said those rescued were first brought to PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua for a physical checkup then will be brought to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. 

While the PCG was still investigating what could have caused the yacht to sink, reports said the weather had worsened early Sunday morning.

"Parang squall ang nangyari kaninang madaling araw," said Coast Guard District Palawan Commander Captain Dennis Rem Labay. "Biglang bumuhos and ulan, violent ang hangin, tapos after a few hours nawala din."

(There was something like a squall early this morning. A sudden downpour, violent winds, then after a few hours, it was gone.) —KG, GMA Integrated News