Five individuals were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after their motorbanca nearly capsized off Hilantagaan Island in Santa Fe, Cebu while attempting to deliver essential goods at the height of Tropical Depression “Wilma,” a ranking official disclosed Saturday, Dec. 6.

Captain Noemie Cayabyab, PCG spokesperson, said the group was caught by bad sea conditions in the vicinity waters of Barangay Okoy, causing their boat to almost sink before PCG personnel intervened in time.

“Mayroon pong limang individuals na narescue ang PCG dahil sa masamang panahon. Umalis sila at ang intention is magtransfer ng mga essential goods sa kabilang isla pero sila ay naabutan ng masamang panahon kaya halos lumubog ang motorbanca. Good thing ay nailigtas sila ng PCG (There were five individuals rescued by the PCG due to bad weather. They had set out with the intention of transporting essential goods to a nearby island but they were caught by worsening sea conditions, causing their motorbanca to nearly sink. Fortunately, the PCG was able to save them,” Cayabyab revealed.

Cayabyab warned residents in coastal areas, as well as fishermen and small boat operators, to refrain from sailing because the seas could appear calm from the shoreline but conditions could drastically worsen farther out at sea due to the combined effects of Wilma and the northeast monsoon (amihan).

“Nagpupumilit po ang iba nating kababayan na umalis dahil panatag ang dagat at hindi pa ramdam sa kanilang area. Again pagdating sa gitna hindi natin alam kung gaano kalaki ang magiging lakas ng alon so ang aming constant reminder, always ensure your safety. Makinig po palagi sa lokal na otoridad para maiwasan itong mga ganitong insidente (Some of our countrymen still insist on setting sail because the sea appears calm and the bad weather isn’t yet felt in their area. But once you reach the open sea, you never know how strong the waves can get so our constant reminder is to always ensure your safety. Always listen to local authorities to avoid incidents like this),” she noted.

According to the official, the PCG has intensified advisories in coastal communities to prevent similar incidents.

Meanwhile, the PCG reported 8,622 stranded passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers across 87 ports from Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Northeastern Mindanao.

The Bicol Region recorded the highest number of stranded travelers at 3,556, mainly at Matnog Port in Sorsogon.

In total, 2,628 rolling cargoes, 126 vessels, and 38 motorbancas were also unable to sail while 161 vessels and 101 motorbancas sought shelter.

The PCG has been placed under a heightened alert which means that coast guard personnel and floating assets are on full activation, and leaves of personnel were cancelled for immediate response.

Deployable response groups, including medical teams, were also placed on standby.

Cayabyab said the directive of PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan is to maintain close coordination with local governments, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure swift response as sea travel remains suspended in several areas.

Meanwhile, the PCG also responded to a fire that broke out onboard a cargo ship at Pier 12 in North Harbor, Tondo, Manila, last Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Members of the Coast Guard Sub-Station North Harbor Boarding Team spotted heavy smoke coming from MV Meridian Dos shortly after completing a departure clearance inspection and immediately alerted the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Manila North Port Harbor Inc. (MNPHI).

According to the ship’s crew, the blaze started in the engine room but the cause of fire remains under investigation.

The Coast Guard Station Manila also sought assistance from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for additional firetrucks and from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for medical support.