ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NavForWem) rescued an Australian onboard a distressed yacht off Sta. Cruz Island here on Monday, Sept. 5.
NavForWem sent multi-purpose attack craft BA487 to assist “Spirit of Argao” drifting near Sta. Cruz Island.
Malcolm MacIntyre was the only person on board and was taken to the Camp Navarro General Hospital inside the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command here for hunger and exhaustion.
The yacht was towed by the Navy boat to the Ensign Majini Pier of the NavForWem station.
MacIntyre departed on his yacht from Port of Dampier in Western Australia on Aug. 4 to visit his family in Talaytay, Argao, Cebu.
He encountered bad weather at sea. As a result, his yacht veered off course.
The yacht’s outboard motor ran low on fuel and encountered engine failure and the boat drifted away from its intended direction.
The Australian tried to repair the engine to no avail and sent out a distress signal which led to the rescue.