The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued 17 passengers and 19 crew members from a distressed fishing boat in Surigao City on Saturday, May 1.
In a statement on Sunday, May 2, PCG Station Surigao del Norte Commander Elaine Pangilinan said they responded to the maritime report provided by Engineer Ambrosio Lambus Jr., president of Surigao Fish Buyers and Brokers Association Inc. on the distressed fishing boat.
"PCG IN SURIGAO DEL NORTE SWIFTLY RESPONDS AND SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED 36 INDIVIDUALS FROM A DISTRESSED FISHING BANCA"...
Posted by CoastGuard Surigao del Norte on Saturday, May 1, 2021
The report said the FBCA NOBERT-2 was drifted and eventually ran aground towards the shallow waters of Barangay Cagutsan, Surigao City due to strong current on Saturday.
PCG Station Surigao del Norte deployed Coast Guard Special Operations Unit Northeastern Mindanao onboard PB-151 and Coast Guard Mobile Team Day-asan onboard AB-254 to conduct search and rescue operations and render necessary assistance.
Upon arrival in the reported area, the 17 passengers and 19 crew members were transferred to PB-151 using Coast Guard’s rubber boat.
The rescued individuals were assessed by Coast Guard Medical Service Northeastern Mindanao (CGMED-NEM) for further medical assistance upon arrival to Surigao City.
No passengers and crew members were injured during the incident, Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said the master of the vessel of the distressed fishing banca was also invited to Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte for initial inquiries on the incident.
“The master was likewise advised to file a Marine Protest relative to the incident,” she added.