Philippines: Four Rescued from Sinking Patrol Boat

Four crew members were rescued by the joint SAR team of the Philippine Coast Guard, Bantay Dagat and the local police from a half-submerged motor boat that was supposed to deliver house construction materials in Agutaya, Palawan last Sunday, November 17.

M/Bca Princess Beulah M was reportedly underway for Agutaya when it accidentally hit some floating logs two nautical miles southwest of Cambari Island in Araceli, Palawan.

The impact damaged the hull of the motor boat and water gushed through the hole. M/Bca Princess Beulah M eventually submerged while all of its cargos and pertinent papers drifted at sea.

The 14.06 GT motor boat was loaded with 10,100 pieces of nipa, 2,000 pieces of bamboo (buho), 200 pieces of cut coconut lumber and 200 pieces of round timber that were intended for the repairs of typhoon-damaged houses in Barangay Concepcion, Agutaya.

Upon receipt of information from a concerned resident of Barangay Poblacion identified as Pepito Katon, the personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Araceli immediately conducted a search and rescue operations with the Bantay Dagat and the local police of Araceli.

Four crew members of M/Bca Princess Beulah M were sighted by the joint team onboard the already half-submerged boat and were safely transferred to the Bantay Dagat patrol boat.

The team was also able to tow the distressed boat through the assistance of FB Morning Glory, owned by RBL Fishing Corporation.

The vessel is presently anchored at Port of Araceli in Palawan with the following crew who are under the custody of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Cuyo and in good physical condition.

coastguard.gov.ph