Two United States (US) citizens were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on a stranded yacht off Davao City on Saturday, Jan. 13.
PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said that a 41-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, both are US citizens, got stranded while operating the yacht identified as "Pleasure Yacht Apkallu".
According to the PCG, the yacht encountered an engine failure approximately 8.8 nautical miles west southwest of Surup, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
Following the incident, the PCG said that a distress call was picked up by the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) so it deployed BRP Panglao (FPB-2402), a rescue vessel, to conduct search and rescue operations.
"[The] rescue vessel navigated challenging sea conditions to reach the location of the stranded yacht," Gavan said in a statement on Sunday, Jan. 14.
The yacht, which was reported to be navigating from Indonesia, was then towed by the PCG to Davao City for customs and immigration clearances.
"The towing operation commenced promptly, ensuring the ship's and its passengers' safety," Gavan shared.
"The towing process was executed precisely, avoiding any complications despite the prevailing adverse weather conditions in the area," he added.
The PCG chief said that the US citizens were "relieved and grateful for [the] CGDSEM's rapid response," and added that the yacht passengers cooperated seamlessly with the rescue team.
Meanwhile, Gavan acknowledged the CGDSEM led by its district commander, Commodore Rejard Marfe, and BRP Pangalao, steered by her commanding officer, Captain George Maganto, for the "well-organized, timely, and successful" search and rescue operations.