Authorities have shifted to search and retrieval operations for the seven missing crew members of the LCT Great Ocean that ran aground during onslaught of typhoon “Bising” in Surigao del Norte last month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday, May 3.
“Naka focus kami sa search and retrieval operations, dito kami nagsesearch mostly kung saan natagpuan yung mga cadavers nila sa Surigao del Norte, although nasearch na namin yung area negative yung findings since last dalawang cadaver lang yung nakuha (We focused on search and retrieval operations, here we searched mostly where the cadavers were found in Surigao del Norte, although we have searched the area with negative findings since only the last two cadavers were found),” PCG Station Surigao del Norte Commander Elaine Pangilinan told the Manila Bulletin.
The recovery of two crewmen of the cargo ship last Friday, April 23, in San Francisco town of Surigao del Norte brought to six the total number of fatalities from the ill-fated ship.
Four cadavers were earlier recovered during the search and rescue operations while seven were rescued by fishermen.
“Ilang days na rin eh since yung last cadaver na nafound may mga factors tayo na consider na since yung last man nakita is ilang days na rin and then yung survivability ng mga survivors natin kung sakali yung time lapse masyadong matagal na yung days (It has been a several days since the last cadaver was found, we have factors to consider since the last one was seen a few days ago and then the survivability rate of the survivors in case, the time lapse is too long it has been for several days since the incident),” Pangilinan said.
The PCG Station Surigao del Norte has offered mass and floral offerings at sea for the casualties of the ill-fated cargo ship on Friday, April 30.
The station commander stressed that the Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte was in close coordination with other agencies for the continuous retrieval operations for the remaining crew members.
According to the investigation, the LCT Cebu Great Ocean was loaded with nickel ore and contained approximately 2,000 liters of diesel on board.
Pangilinan said that there was no oil spill in the area as they conducted proper procedures to remove the oil in the waters the moment the ship ran aground in the shoreline.
The cargo vessel LCT Cebu Great Ocean was towed to Cebu for repair, she added.
The cargo vessel was taking shelter due to rough seas in Nasipit, Agusan del Sur last April 17, when its anchor chain was cut off and seawater started coming in until it ran aground.