CALAYAN, Cagayan – The Philippine Coast Guard Station Calayan rescued more than 20 passengers of two distressed motorbancas in the sea off Barangay Dadao here Wednesday, July 13.
Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon reported Friday, July 15, that MB Nicole had 10 passengers and two crew onboard while MB Jay Ann had nine passengers and two crew.
Jobert Arirao, 29, of Barangay Dadao, onboard MB Nicole reported that their boat is in trouble through a phone call.
The two motorbancas left port when it encountered bad weather at sea, forcing one of the motorbanca captain to return to Barangay Dadao.
Unfortunately, the two motorbancas were battered by big waves, causing engine failure and resulted in the motorbancas to be half-submerged.
The Coast Guard immediately activated its search and rescue (SAR) team to conduct SAR operation.
While proceeding to the area, the team sighted motorbancas operated by concerned individuals ferrying some rescued passengers from the distressed motorbancas back to the shoreline of Barangay Dadao.
The SAR team immediately continued their operation as there were still stranded passengers and crew left in the distressed motorbancas.
The SAR team, together with MB Rosario, was able to successfully conduct SAR and tow the two distressed motorbancas safely back to the shoreline of Sitio Sibang, Barangay Dadao.
All rescued persons were in good physical condition.
The Coast Guard advised barangay officials and motorbanca owners and operators to avoid and stop operating during inclement weather.