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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG deploys sonar as diving op for MV Trisha Kirsten enters sixth day

PCG deploys sonar as diving op for MV Trisha Kirsten enters sixth day

Published Feb 3, 2026 05:14 pm
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel use a side-scan sonar system to search for the wreck of the sunken MV Trisha Kirsten 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Feb. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel use a side-scan sonar system to search for the wreck of the sunken MV Trisha Kirsten 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Feb. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of PCG)
Aside from using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a side-scan sonar system is now being utilized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to hasten search and rescue (SAR) operations for the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 as diving efforts entered its sixth day on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the underwater imaging technology has an operational range of approximately 1,500 meters to 10,000 meters, allowing technical divers a wider and more precise scanning of the seabed to help locate the wreck.
The PCG continued its SAR operations in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan as early as 7:30 a.m.
The PCG Technical Diving Team held a comprehensive briefing to finalize the dive plan and operational activities for Day 6 of the mission, according to Cayabyab.
“The PCG remains committed to exhausting all available resources and capabilities to locate the sunken vessel and expand ongoing SAR efforts,” she added.
As of writing, the death toll remains at 42 while 316 passengers were rescued. The number of missing persons has yet to be determined due to conflicting estimates from authorities and the crew.
Cayabyab said coordination is ongoing with the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) as families of the victims began providing DNA samples to the Philippine National Police – Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO) to help with future identification of recovered bodies.
Diving challenges
According to the PCG, technical divers were facing difficult conditions underwater as they were dealing with strong sea currents that hampered their efforts.
“Based on the statements of the rescuers and technical divers, every day they conduct diving operations, the current at the bottom is very strong. There was a time when they dove and were dragged almost one kilometer away from their initial position,” Cayabyab said.
The PCG has deployed several assets to support the mission including BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the biggest PCG ships in its fleet, as well as the BRP Tubbataha and BRP Capones.
“It is very important that we find the ship. That is the reason why we are deploying the ROV and our technical divers to check the vessel itself,” she said.
“This is to determine the cause of the sinking and to find out if there are still individuals trapped inside,” she added.

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PCG sonar system MV Trisha Kirsten 3 Basilan
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