To ensure the safety of the crew and passengers that might experience fire in the middle of the sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has conducted a maritime exercise on responding to a fire incident at sea during its maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 12, the PCG has shared photos of its personnel during the enhancement training under the Task Force Pagsasanay in a swift and systematic fire extinguishing at sea.

“Para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga tripulante at pasahero ng mga barkong makakaranas ng sunog sa gitna ng biyahe, bahagi ng capability enhancement training sa ilalim ng Task Force Pagsasanay ang mabilis at sistematikong operasyon sa pag-aapula ng sunog (To ensure the safety of crew and passengers of ships that would experience fire, part of the capability enhancement training under Task Force Pagsasanay is the swift and systematic operation to put out fire) ,” the post read.

Aside from the proper use of firefighting equipment, Coast Guard personnel were also trained in maintaining a keen mindset to quickly resolve unforeseen incidents related to on board fire.

The PCG said BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) is scheduled to travel back to the West Philippine Sea to undergo another joint maritime exercise with seven other PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships this week.

“Layon ng inisiyatibong ito na mapagbuti ang pagtataguyod ng maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, at marine environmental protection sa malawak na katubigan at likas yaman ng bansa (The purpose of this initiative is to improve the promotion of maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection in the country's waters and natural resources,” the Coast Guard said.

They conducted maritime exercises last April 23 to May 3 near the Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales and Pagasa Island which is within the territory of Palawan.