'Techie' rescue: PCG learns sinking ship's dillema via Facebook live; over 50 saved

More than 50 individuals aboard a distressed passenger vessel in Dapa, Surigao del Norte were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday, July 22, thanks to a Facebook live video of a concerned citizen.

The PCG Station Surigao del Norte said that its personnel assisted 49 passengers and eight crew members of MV Vince Gabriel 4 after they got stranded in the middle of the sea due to bad weather.

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In an incident report, the PCG said they received an alert that a concerned citizen, Manuel Gillo Jr., posted a live video of the situation taken inside the ship around 3:50 p.m.

The PCG Surigao del Norte and Coast Guard Special Operations Unit -- Northeastern Mindanao swiftly responded to the area after verifying the video to conduct search and rescue operations.

MV Vince Gabriel 4 departed from Dapa, Surigao del Norte en route to Surigao City when it was battered by huge waves and strong winds while transiting Hinatuan Island, the PCG said.

Due to the impact of the waves, the vessel suffered damage in its deck which caused seawater to gradually seep in.

The vessel slowed down to prevent more water from coming in until they were reacued by the PCG team off the coast near Barangay Bitaugan around 5 p.m.

The PCG escorted the vessel to the Surigao Baseport where all the passengers and crew disembarked safely.