Cargo vessel sinks off Palawan; crewmen rescued

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A CARGO vessel sank off Coron town in Palawan yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.

The 14 crew members of the ill-fated MV Amelia Kyle-1, were rescued by a fishing boat, the PCG said.

The PCG said MV Amelia Kyle-1 sank about three nautical miles off Bantac Island, Coron, Palawan yesterday morning.

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A fishing boat, FB Mommy Rose 1, rescued the 14 crewmen of the cargo vessel. The PCG said the crew members of the cargo vessel are “all in good physical condition.”

PCG personnel were dispatched to the area to provide assistance to the rescued individuals.

“Based on the initial investigation, the distressed vessel sank due to rough sea conditions,” the PCG said.

The PCG said marine environmental protection personnel in Palawan are conducting checking for possible traces of an oil spill.

Meanwhile, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said a transiting foreign bulk carrier rescued six passengers and crew of a boat that capsized off Pangutaran Island in Sulu, the Philippine Navy said.

In a statement, the NFWM said the passengers and crew of the ill-fated M/B Lorena were later fetched by a Navy ship, BRP Jose Loor Sr (PC390).

The NFWM said M/B Lorena was en route to Zamboanga City, from Mapun town in Sulu, last Saturday when it encountered rough seas and strong currents which caused the boat to capsize some 38 nautical miles northwest of the island.

The transiting Panama-flagged bulk carrier, M/V Navios Lumen, spotted the distressed individuals while on the way to its next port of call in Australia.

“Upon sighting of the capsized motor banca with six persons holding to its side, the M/V (Navios Lumen) immediately maneuvered to rescue the victims and render assistance,” the NFWM said.

The Navious Lumen then reported the incident to the Navy’s Littoral Monitoring System Pilas.

“Immediately, PC390 was deployed to facilitate the safe transfer of the rescued persons,” the NFWM said.

The Navy ship met with M/V Navios Lumen at the vicinity Sibutu Passage in Tawi-Tawi for the transfer of the rescued passengers and crew. Navy personnel extended “further assistance” to the victims thereafter.

Upon arrival at the Lamion Wharf in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi, the rescued passengers and crew were given food and water.

They were later turned over to the municipal social welfare and development office and municipal disaster risk reduction and management office “for their counseling, health check and further assistance before going home to their families.”

NFWM commander Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor said: “We are glad that the boatmen were safe and in good condition after the bulk carrier found them and handed them over to us.”

“We are also glad that we can work promptly together with our friends from civilian vessels that transit our waters and with the aide of our LMS, to ensure every seafarer’s safety especially during rough seas and bad weather,” added Miraflor.

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