Fourteen fishermen who had been drifting at sea for three days after their motorbanca encountered engine trouble have been finally rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Siruma, Camarines Sur, it revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Personnel of the Coast Guard Sub-Station Mercedes and Coast Guard Special Operation Group – Bicol rescued the fishermen aboard fishing boat “Prince Arnold” last Sept. 12 after its owner, a certain Arnold Leynes, sought help from the authorities.
Accordingly, there were 16 fishermen aboard the fishing boat when it encountered engine trouble and went dead on the water. The boat was last spotted around 15 to 20 nautical miles off Butauanan Island in Camarines Norte.
Luckily, two of the 16 fishermen had been rescued by a transiting motorboat. They were identified as Michael Agor and Jojo Labrador, both residents of Mercedes, Camarines Norte.
“It was learned that the fishermen had been missing for three days prior to their rescue. Mr. Arnold Leynes, the owner of the boat, said the engine malfunctioned which caused the vessel to drift in the vicinity waters of Siruma,” the PCG said.
Upon rescue, the fishermen underwent medical check-up. The PCG said they were confirmed to be in good physical condition.
Meanwhile, the distressed boat was towed towards the shoreline of Pandawan Fish Port in Brgy. 7, Mercedes, Camarines Norte for an assessment.