Photo credit: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
All 58 passengers and crew were rescued from a Ro-Ro passenger ship that listed to its right side in Quezon early (local time) on Friday, October 30.
The vessel’s 40 passengers and 18 crew members, including two infants, were safely evacuated.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the Virgen de Peñafrancia II listed to its right side 10 meters from Real Port in Barangay Ungos, Real, Quezon, at around 12:44 a.m.
The Coast Guard said the rescue operation concluded at around 3.30 a.m.
The Municipal disaster risk reduction and management office of Real assessed the rescued individuals and found them to be in good physical condition.
The distressed vessel had travelled from Polillo Port and was headed to Real Port, carrying – according to the PCG – 14 rolling cargoes when the incident occurred. The vessel is operated by Starhorse Shipping Lines.
“We have directed the shipping company to apply for an Emergency Salvage Permit and undertake measures to safely remove the distressed vessel,” Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.
Further investigation and monitoring are underway to determine the cause of the incident, Cayabyab added.
She said the incident would not affect sea passengers within Southern Tagalog.
According to spokesperson Cayabyab, while marine diesel oil naturally dissipates, the PCG is still deploying oil spill booms to protect the nearby coastal community.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
