A cargo vessel carrying 28,020 bags of cement ran aground off Calaviti Point in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro over the weekend.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Sunday, Sept. 3, that all 14 crew members of MV Joegie 5 were rescued after it hit shallow waters last Friday, Sept. 1.
The cargo vessel was transiting the vicinity waters off Sitio Calangigan, Brgy. Harrison in Paluan town when it encountered big waves and strong winds. This caused the vessel to drift towards the shallow portion of the waters around 2 a.m.
The vessel came from Bauan, Batangas and was travelling to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro when the incident occurred. It was being steered by Captain Arnie Alberto.
“They [crew members] managed to pull their vessel out from agrounding because of the high tide and was able to dropped their anchor to check the vessel for any damage. Unfortunately, the captain noticed a continuous entry of seawater from the cargo area,” the PCG said.
“To prevent the vessel from sinking, the captain decided to bring said vessel back to its agrounding position and further dropped their anchor to prevent from drifting,” it added.
Several residents of Sitio Calangigan saw the distressed cargo vessel so they rescued the crew members using a motorbanca. They also called the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Mamburao for further assistance.
Capt. Edison Abanilla, station commander of Coast Guard Station in Occidental Mindoro, said there were no signs of oil spill although the PCG was still monitoring the vessel for possible leakage.
The cargo vessel has 15,148 liters of diesel on its fuel tank. The PCG said it is owned by Preeminent Shipping and Management Corporation based in Quezon City.
“[A] representative [from] Preeminent Shipping already arrived [in] Paluan, Occidental Mindoro to discuss their intention on the agrounded vessel. CGSS Mamburao will guarantee that an immediate suction of the diesel on the fuel tank will be conducted to prevent it from spilling in the following days,” the PCG noted.