Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Salvaged tugboat sinks off Zambales with 15,000 liters of diesel onboard – PCG
Philippines
National
Salvaged tugboat sinks off Zambales with 15,000 liters of diesel onboard – PCG
Salvaged tugboat sinks off Zambales with 15,000 liters of diesel onboard – PCG
Published Aug 24, 2026 02:51 pm
At A Glance
- Motor tugboat MTUG SL Sual 1 capsized and sank off Botolan, Zambales while being towed during an emergency salvage operation on Aug. 24. Ten salvage workers jumped overboard and were rescued safely.
- The PCG said it was looking into whether the tugboat struck submerged metal debris or an underwater obstruction. Rough seas may have worsened its listing and contributed to the sinking, it added.
- No oil spill was reported but the PCG is monitoring the area and has deployed shoreline patrols and placed oil spill response equipment on standby.
Salvage workers leap into the sea as tugboat MTUG SL Sual 1 tilts sharply to its starboard side before sinking off Botolan, Zambales on August 24, 2026. The Philippine Coast Guard said all 10 workers involved in the towing operation were rescued safely after the vessel, which was carrying 15,000 liters of diesel, became completely submerged amid rough sea conditions. (Photo: PCG)
A tugboat undergoing emergency salvage operations capsized and sank in waters off Botolan, Zambales on Monday morning, Aug. 24, leaving 10 salvage workers rescued and accounted for, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said MTUG SL Sual 1 was being towed at 7:46 a.m. when it gradually listed to its starboard (right) side before becoming completely submerged in waters about 24 meters deep.
“This tugboat, MTUG SL Sual 1, was actually undergoing an emergency salvage operation. It initially listed on August 14 because of strong waves, and seawater entered the tugboat," Cayabyab said.
“As the emergency salvage operation was ongoing and the vessel was being pushed from the grounding area, it had already refloated. While it was being towed, our Coast Guard personnel and the salvage company operator noticed that it was gradually listing to starboard until it sank,” she said.
Ten salvage workers jumped overboard as the vessel began to sink but they were subsequently rescued and accounted for.
“The prevailing strong waves and rough sea conditions may have further worsened the vessel’s list and affected its stability before it capsized and became completely submerged. The exact cause of the incident remains subject to further investigation,” Cayabyab said.
Grounded
When the tugboat ran aground on Aug. 14 off Barangay Bangan, nine crew members were rescued by the PCG, the Botolan Response Team, and local fisherfolk.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan commended responders for their swift actions that led to the rescue of the crew after seawater ingress forced them to anchor the vessel in shallow waters.
According to the crew’s account, the vessel had been anchored when seawater entered through a breach in its hull. The crew grounded it in shallow waters to prevent further danger. No oil spill was reported during that incident.
The vessel was later subjected to an emergency salvage operation. Once it was refloated, it was supposed to be towed toward Bataan for dry docking but the incident happened.
Oil spill watch
Cayabyab said the PCG launched an investigation to determine the cause of the tugboat’s sinking.
However, she said authorities were looking into the possibility that the vessel struck submerged metal debris or another underwater obstruction as a loud impact or banging sound was reportedly heard from the vessel before it sank.
“There is a possibility that it struck submerged metal debris in the area, or there may have been an underwater obstruction. The prevailing sea conditions may have also contributed to the rapid listing and seawater ingress until the tugboat sank,” she added.
The tugboat was carrying 15,000 liters of diesel fuel but the PCG said there was no sign of an oil spill, as of this writing, while its responders continued monitoring the area.
The PCG said its inspection before the salvage operation showed that the vessel's fuel tanks were intact.
“If we see traces of oil within the surrounding area, we can readily respond. We have ensured that all the fuel tanks are intact but we definitely will not set aside the possibility that we may see an oil sheen,” Cayabyab noted.
PCG responders immediately conducted shoreline patrols along the Bucao River and nearby areas to check for traces of petroleum products. Absorbent pads and other oil spill response equipment were placed on standby for deployment.
The PCG has also coordinated with the salvage company, Narra Shipping and Lighterage, and vessel representatives for a meeting to determine next steps, including measures concerning the diesel cargo onboard.