The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 181 crew and passengers of a vessel that ran aground while en route from Real Port to Polillo Port in Quezon on Maundy Thursday, March 28.

According to the crew of MV Virgen de Penafrancia, the vessel drifted into shallow waters during maneuvering until it reached the sandy seabed near Real Port.
The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) said this was due to strong currents and low tide conditions in the vicinity waters when the accident occurred.
MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II, owned by Starhorse Shipping Lines, with a gross tonnage of 253 tons and net tonnage of 76 tons, was carrying 29 crew members, 152 passengers, 16 vehicles, and 51 motorcycles at the time of the incident.
The PCG initiated a rescue operation and facilitated the safe disembarkation of passengers by utilizing private motor bancas to ferry them back to Real Port.
The Rural Health Unit-Real assessed all passengers and crew members and ensured that they were all in good physical condition.
The CGDSTL said assessment teams have been deployed to evaluate the situation, while coordination efforts are under way with MV Syvel 808, currently docked at Real Port, for potential assistance in towing the distressed vessel.
It conducted an initial oil spill assessment within the vicinity waters which yielded a negative result.