62 rescued as motorboat engine conks out off Tawi-Tawi – PCG
COAST Guard personnel rescue 62 persons from a distressed motorboat in Tawi-Tawi. (FB)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 62 persons after motorboat ML Trisha Mae encountered engine trouble in the waters off Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on July 27.
In a statement on Wednesday, PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan commended responding personnel for their swift and coordinated actions, emphasizing that timely maritime response remains vital in protecting lives at sea.
The PCG’s response began after the agency's Sub-Station Bongao received a report of the incident and deployed a search and rescue team along with personnel from the Marine Environmental Protection Unit and Special Operations Group aboard ML Piaksah.
The responding team successfully located the disabled vessel and towed it to the Port of Bongao.
ML Trisha Mae, carrying 10 crew members and 52 passengers bound for Mapun, Tawi-Tawi, safely arrived at the Port of Bongao at 10:30 p.m.
All 62 persons on board were reported to be in good physical condition.
Meanwhile, the PCG said search and rescue operations are underway in the vicinity of Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea following the reported sinking of a Vietnamese cargo vessel.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) was conducting its sixth leg of search operations to locate 14 missing crew members.
The PCG vessel transmitted a radio broadcast to all ships in the area to support the ongoing operations and request vigilance for possible sightings of survivors.
Despite moderate to rough sea conditions, BRP Malapascua continues to systematically search the designated area while coordinating with other vessels participating in the operation.
The vessel has been augmented with the Marine Science Technical Service, Special Operations Unit, PCG Medical Service, and PCG Nursing Service to strengthen the humanitarian mission.
Gavan said the search will continue until all possible measures have been exhausted. (PNA)