The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has launched a search and rescue operation for the missing crewman of a fishing vessel off the waters of Araceli town of Palawan,
In an incident report, the fishing vessel Yellow Bell was on a fishing activity when the missing crew member Edgardo Casuna jumped off the vessel to grab the fishing net rope off.
The PCG, citing the master of the vessel, said Casuna was later carried off by the strong sea current. The crew members immediately halted the fishing activities and conducted a search and rescue operation to locate him.
Upon receiving the information, the PCG Substation Araceli immediately deployed a search and rescue team in the area.
The fishing vessels FV Champion 36, Ranger 1, and Victor 89 of Frabelle Fishing Corporation have also rendered assistance to conduct an extensive search and rescue mission for the missing fisherman. The search and rescue operations, however, were temporarily suspended due to the prevailing strong winds and huge waves in the area.
As of Thursday, Aug. 12, the PCG said the missing crew has not yet been found.
The Coast Guard said personnel of the Substation Araceli will conduct a follow-up search and rescue operations if the weather permits in the area.
“The PCG Substation Araceli advised all watercrafts to be on the lookout for the said missing person, render assistance if sighted, and report to the nearest PCG unit or other government agencies,” it added.
Authorities are still conducting an investigation on the incident.