By Betheena Unite
Over a hundred passengers were rescued form a distressed motorbanca off Hilongos, Leyte, earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a belated report.
A total of 108 passengers were rescued from motorbanca “Sea Runner” after it suddenly went dead on water while transiting from Ubay, Bohol to Hilongos, Leyte Tuesday.
According to Coast Guard Sub-Station Hilongos, they received information on the incident through a call from the personnel-in-charge of the ticketing office onboard the distressed vessel.
A team from the local Coast Guard Station immediately launched a search and rescue operation to the area. All passengers were rescued and no one was reported hurt.
Investigation showed that while “Sea Runner” was on its way to Hilongos, Leyte, “the boat captain noticed that one leaf of their propeller was detached and eventually lost, resulting to the vessel to stop working,” the Coast Guard said.
The distressed boat was towed and docked at the Port of Hilongos in Leyte.
Six motorcycles were also retrieved from the embattled passenger boat.