The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued a family on board a distressed motorbanca while conducting maritime patrol off Balabac, Palawan on Monday, June 7.

Personnel of the PCG Balabac station sighted a family aboard a motorbanca asking for help and assistance in the vicinity waters off Barangay Ramos, Balabac, Palawan.

The personnel decided to transfer the family, including three children, to the PCG’s floating assets and towed their distressed motorbanca.

According to the fisherman’s wife, a piece of wood hit the motorbanca that caused its engine trouble.

“Hindi kasi namalayan ng asawa ko ang isang piraso ng kahoy na nakalutang sa dagat kaya tumama sa elesi ng aming bangka dahilan ng pagkasira ng makina at hindi na muling umandar, halos dalawang oras na kaming palutang lutang duon sa lugar sa pag aakalang aandar muli ang makina na sinusubukang paandarin ulit ng aking asawa (My husband was not aware of a piece of wood floating in the sea so it hit the bottom of our boat that caused engine breakdown and it did not work again for almost two hours. That is why we floated there in the area while my husband is trying to operate it again),” the wife said during the interview by the PCG.

The rescued individuals were declared in good physical condition while their motorbanca was towed to the nearest shoreline.

The PCG Balabac station reminded the public to always be vigilant and bring necessary equipments to ensure their safety.