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Fisherman survives sea mishap while sitting on hull of capsized wooden boat

Philippines | Luzon

Fisherman survives sea mishap while sitting on hull of capsized wooden boat

By Manila Bulletin

By JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

BATANGAS CITY – A 40-year-old mechanical technician who went fishing survived a scary experience as he had to sit on his capsized wooden boat for hours under the scorching heat of the sun last weekend in Isla Verde in Batangas.

ON PINS AND NEEDLES. Fisherman Dennis G. Cullis was spotted and eventually rescued by a shipping vessel as he sat on his capsized wooden boat for hours in Batangas. (Photo courtesy of M/V St. Anthony Padua crew)

Dennis G. Cullis was fishing off Matoco Point when he spotted a pod of dolphins passing towards Sitio Mahabang Buhangin in Isla Verde which he chased with the hope of getting a good catch in the area.

As he was about to navigate back to Matoco Point, a sudden change of wind direction pushed his boat westward which then instantly overturned.

“I managed to save my bag where I placed my wallet and cellular phone. I then tried to paddle for about four hours while sitting at the hull of my banca that was floating upside down then,” Cullis added.

In those tense moments, Cullis saw two vessels pass within his sight which apparently did not notice the distressed fisherman.

Luckily for Cullis, another roll on-roll off vessel, the M/V St. Anthony of Padua of 2Go Shipping Lines eventually saw him and immediately rescued the troubled fisherman.

The wooden boat was returned to Cullis the following day after being recovered by another fisherman, Tony Evangelista, of Barangay Papaya of the island municipality of Tingloy, Batangas.

“I grew up in the sea, and will remain a fisherman even though I have a modest job already. I am so grateful to the crews who saved me, for if they only missed my call for help, I don’t know what could have happened to me. I am also very indebted to Sir Evangelista for rescuing my banca and turning it over to me,” Cullis said.

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