The Philippine Embassy in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, facilitated the repatriation of 21 Filipino crew members of bulk carrier Tutor on June 16 via a flight from Manama, Bahrain. The 21 crew members were transported to Bahrain through the assistance of the US Navy.
To remind, the Liberian flagged, Greek owned and operated bulk cargo carrier Tutor was attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on June 12 in the Red Sea with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) resulting in severe flooding and damage to the engine room.
On Friday, the US Central Command confirmed the rescue mission, mentioning that the crew abandoned the ship and were rescued by the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and partner forces.
Upon the Philippine Embassy’s request, assistance was also extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and other relevant Bahraini government agencies to the Filipino seafarers.
Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain received the crew members on June 15 and arranged their accommodation in coordination with the Greek shipping company that operates the vessel, according to Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Embassy’s Migrant Workers Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided food and clothing, and brought the crew members to a hospital in Manama for medical evaluation. The crew members are all generally in good health, according to reports from Philippines.
The 21 Filipino crew members are scheduled to arrive in Manila on 17 June 2024 accompanied by Labor Attaché Hector Cruz of MWO-Al Khobar.
“The Philippine Embassy extends its sincerest gratitude to the US Navy, the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain, and the Bahraini Government for the timely humanitarian assistance extended to the Filipino crew members of MV Tutor,” said the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain.
