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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG divers undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy after 16-day MV Trisha Kerstin 3 mission

PCG divers undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy after 16-day MV Trisha Kerstin 3 mission

Published Feb 14, 2026 12:14 pm  |  Updated Feb 14, 2026 01:35 pm
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
Technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy following 16 days of extended underwater search and rescue operations at the site of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, a ranking officer said on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The procedure, held on Friday, Feb. 13, formed part of the standard post-dive medical protocol after prolonged and repeated deep-water exposure, according to PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medically supervised process that helps prevent and manage potential diving-related conditions, including decompression sickness. The chamber increases oxygen levels in the blood and reduces the risk of complications linked to extended dives.
Cayabyab said the welfare of the divers remains a top priority as she stressed that all diving operations strictly follow established safety standards and require mandatory medical evaluations before and after missions.
“The Technical Diving Group continues to maintain operational readiness while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the performance of their duties,” she furthered.
After the medical procedure, dive operations resumed on Friday, Feb. 14 and the PCG said underwater search efforts remain ongoing at the vessel’s resting site.
“The PCG's diving operations continue at the site where the MV Trisha sank. Our objective is to thoroughly search the vessel and check for any trapped individuals. Any pieces of evidence and bodies we might find will become part of the investigation,” Cayabyab said.
The total number of fatalities remains at 53 while authorities have recorded 293 survivors and 26 individuals still missing.
Cayabyab also addressed reports of possible overloading, saying the initial figures released by the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao were based on the ship’s manifest submitted by the captain.
“After that, we received statements and testimonies from passengers whose family members were not included in the released manifesto. This led to the possibility that there may have been an overloading of passengers,” she explained.

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PCG technical diver hyperbaric oxygen training MV Trisha Kerstin 3 Basilan Baluk-Baluk Island
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