The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that dive yacht M/Y Dream Keeper sank off Tubbataha, Palawan over the weekend due to a squall.

(M/V Dream Keeper / File photo via PCG)

A squall is a sudden violent gust of wind or a localized storm which usually lasts for a few seconds. But it was enough to sink M/Y Dream Keeper last Sunday, April 30, while carrying 32 individuals who were supposed to go diving and turn their dream vacation into a nightmare.

“Doon sa statement na nakalap sa nakaligtas, ang sinasabi nila ‘yung squall po o ‘yong sinasabi namin sa Tagalog na kanas kanas. Ito po ‘yong kundisyon ng karagatan na kahit walang storm surge, kahit walang sama ng panahon, biglang magbabago, didilim, lalakas ‘yong alon at ‘yong hangin, at may pag-ulan pa (Based on the statements that we gathered from the survivors, they were referring to a squall or what we call kanas kanas in Tagalog. This is a condition at sea where even in the absence of a storm surge, even without a bad weather, the weather will change, the sky will turn dark, the waves and wind will get stronger, and there will be rain),” explained Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, in a radio interview with dzBB on Tuesday, May 2.

“Iyon daw ang nangyari sa kanila at ‘yon ang naging sanhi ng paglubog nila. Talagang napakalakas daw (That’s what happened to them and that’s what caused their sinking. They said it was really strong),” he added.

Search and rescue (SAR) operations were ongoing to find the four individuals who went missing when the incident happened. They were only identified as the Chinese owner of the dive yacht, and two tourists and a dive master who are all Filipinos.

The PCG has dispatched patrol ship BRP Melchora Aquino while the Philippine Navy (PN) fielded its own BRP Carlos Albert to support the ongoing SAR. Two aluminum boats of the Tubbataha National Park also joined the search.

Meanwhile, the 28 survivors were brought to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan by BRP Melchora Aquino on Monday, May 1.

(Courtesy of PCG)

The incident did not cause an oil spill although Balilo said that PCG personnel saw an oil sheen in the area where the yacht capsized.

“Noong isang araw nakakita kami ng oil sheen. Palatandaan ito ng manipis na langis pero ang pagkareport sa atin ay diesel. Pinapalagay natin sa mga sandaling ito ay wala na (The other day, we saw an oil sheen. This signals the presence of thin oil but it was reported to us that it was diesel. We estimate that it was already gone by now),” he said.

(Courtesy of PCG)

Nonetheless, PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu ordered to monitor the situation and designate an oil spill response team in the area.