A Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel carrying 24 crewmen took shelter in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, after it encountered rough seas off San Vicente Monday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
The distressed vessel, MV Kenta Maru, was able to anchor safely at the Sta. Ana, Cagayan anchorage area at 9:45 a.m. Monday, roughly 14 hours after it was monitored by the local Coast Guard.
The PCG said the vessel encountered huge waves and strong current approximately 11 nautical miles off San Vicente in Sta. Ana at around 8 p.m. Sunday, January 17.
The distressed vessel, with 24 foreign crewmen, is bound for Majuro, Marshall Island, Tausion, Taiwan bound for Majuro, Marshall Island.
The PCG has already coordinated with the Philippine Ports Authority, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and other concerned agencies for further assistance that may be needed by the distressed vessel.
Meanwhile, another vessel ran aground in the waters off Maluso, Basilan, Monday morning.
The Coast Guard said it was able to assist distressed vessel ML Denrussel after it ran aground while transiting the waters off Basilan from Jolo, Sulu.
It was en route to Zamboanga when it encountered huge waves and strong current, causing it to run aground.