PCG rescues fishing boat, 8 crew members

CEBU, Philippines - Eight crew members of a motorized fishing boat were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard off Nalusuan Island yesterday dawn after their boat experienced engine trouble while navigating for Cebu City.

Commander Anelito Gabisan, chief of staff of the Coast Guard District Central Eastern Visayas, said they received the distress call from one of the crew members of mb Josephine at 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

Gabisan said they immediately dispatched the search and rescue team and found the boat floating at around 4:00 o’clock dawn.

According to Gabisan, the motor banca has been drifting with its eight crew members because the engine was no longer running. The coast guard’s rescue vessel safely towed the boat with its crew members towards Pasil Fish Port where its fish cargo was intended to be delivered.

The boat was rented by Jericho Remotigue to deliver his fish cargo at the Pasil Fish Port. The motor banca left Talibon, Bohol at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and was expected to arrive at the Pasil Fish Port few hours later.

However, the boat’s engine suddenly conked out while navigating causing it to drift towards Nalusuan Island.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration yesterday warned of the entry of at least two to three typhoons in the country within this month after it announced the onset of the rainy season starting this week.

Weather forecaster Boy Artiaga of PAG-ASA Mactan however said that heavy rainfall is expected to come early next month yet. — Razel V. Cuizon and Clea Lhyle Ompad (THE FREEMAN)