11 rescued from half-submerged vessel in Occidental Mindoro

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 11 crew members of a half-submerged motorbanca in Occidental Mindoro. 

According to a statement on Wednesday, the PCG swiftly located MBCA God’s Grace 9 at 2 nautical miles west of Ambil Island, Looc after the vessel’s owner received distress calls from the crew.

Initial investigation revealed that the vessel encountered large waves on its way to Calatagan, Batangas and was hit by an unidentified object, causing a two-foot hole in the starboard side.

Despite the crew’s attempts to patch the damage with rags and plywood, flooding inside the vessel caused it to be half-submerged.

“The PCG commends the quick response of CGSS Lubang personnel and the cooperation of the MV Lubang Express in ensuring the safety of the crew. The PCG reminds all mariners to regularly inspect their vessels for seaworthiness and to exercise caution, especially when navigating in challenging sea conditions,” the statement read. 

—Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News