CEBU CITY – Eleven Koreans were rescued from a boat that stalled off Moalboal town, southern Cebu at past noon Thursday, November 16.
A MOTORIZED banca is towed to safer grounds after it stalled off Moalboal town, southern Cebu on Thursday afternoon, November 16. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Rescued were Bo Sung Kyung, 21; Jun Tae Kim, 27; Deuk Yoo Kim 43; Hyun Ju Lee, 28; Jae Min Choi, 22; Mian An Lee, 26; Suan Young Lin, 36; Jae Sue Kim, 32; Soon Sin Lee, 26; Vo Yon Jang, 33, and Tae Hang Lee, 45.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2 Mark Eduard Calme said the Philippine Coast Guard Sub Station-Moalboal received a call from a concerned citizen at 12:50 p.m. about a half-submerged motorized banca operated by Dokdo Motor Boat Transport Services.
The banca was carrying 11 Koreans who were about to go diving.
A Coast Guard team, with Calme, Seaman 1 Lemuel Baltunado, Seaman 2 Lester Baingan, Seaman 2 Mark Avel Reyes, and Seaman 2 Elzahayde Appi, reached the area at 1:10 p.m.
When they arrived, nearby motorized bancas Kyrie Ethan MBCA and Amigos Dive Center have already rescued the passengers of the boat skippered by Melbert Buesmon.
The Coast Guard assisted in towing the half-submerged banca towards Brand New Resort.
According to the Coast Guard, the boat started sinking after it struck an unidentified object.
Videos of the half-submerged banca began circulating on social media about 30 minutes after the rescue operation was completed, the municipal government of Moalboal said.