The tanker exploded while carrying 13.3 million liters of ethanol. Three crewmen were reported dead.
"Our first and foremost concern will be finding the 18 people that are missing," coast guard spokeswoman Krys Hannum said.
Hannum said there was no reason to believe the explosion was anything other than an accident.
Two coast guard patrol boats and a C-130 airplane and helicopter were conducting the search about 80 kilometers off Virginia’s Eastern Shore. "We’re going to search as long as it’s reasonable and hope they’re alive," she said.
But with water temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the likelihood of additional survivors being found grew increasingly slim.
Hannum said some of the crew members — 24 from the Philippines and three from Greece — were sleeping at the time of the explosion and some were on deck, so it’s unlikely that they were wearing gear that would protect them from the cold water.
In Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) identified the rescued seamen as first assistant marine engineer officer Edmar Aguilar, electrician James Bactat, chief steward Dominador Marentes, third marine officer Lugen Ortillano, able seaman Ramon Ronquillo and messman Reynaldo Tagle. — Marvin Sy, Pia Lee-Brago, AP