The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued at least seven passengers from a distressed motor launch off Zabala Reef in Palawan.
In an incident report, the PCG said the seven passengers were transiting Tulariquin and Zabala Reef en route to Dumaran, Palawan last Wednesday, Sept. 8, when their motor launch ML MRRL’s propeller accidentally broke.
ML MRRL’s skipper Ricky Conge said the disrupted propeller restricted the vessel’s ability to maneuver.
Conge said they decided to follow the sea current until they reached a shallow portion of Zabala Reef where they anchored and waited for rescue.
Upon receiving a distress call, the PCG joint search and rescue (SAR) team departed from Roxas Feeder Port en route to Zabala Reef.
The rescued passengers were ferried back to Roxas Feeder Port while the motor launch was towed using a motorboat.
The PCG advised the vessel’s captain to repair the derangement of the motor launch before it went back to its normal operation.
No passenger or crew member was injured during the incident.