Coast Guard escorts US sailboat to Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - A search and rescue vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday escorted The Pineapple, a US sailboat that reportedly went missing for six days but was spotted near Hibusan Island in Surigao Strait last Sunday.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo said that The Pineapple left port in Maasin, Leyte at around 10:15 a.m. yesterday and was expected to reach Carmen, Cebu at 10 p.m.

Balilo said two of the five American passengers, Brandi Pratt and Joe Gamez, already disembarked from the pleasure yacht and went to Tacloban to take a flight to Manila then return to Guam.

The three who remained on board were Corey Goldhorn, Steven Blanton, and Chris Bell.

“They’re all in fine health,” coast guard chief Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo said of the crew.

The boat would have to repair its rudder and steering system once it arrives in Cebu.

The 11-meter catamaran left the Marianas Yacht Club in Guam on Jan. 6 en route to Cebu. It was supposed to arrive in Cebu on Jan. 16. Relatives of the missing passengers informed the United States Coast Guard last Jan. 18 that the sailboat had not yet reached its destination.

It was at this juncture that the US embassy sought the assistance of the PCG.

The Pineapple reportedly suffered engine trouble while traversing the Pacific Ocean near Philippine waters.

Balilo said the yacht was spotted by a PCG Islander plane conducting aerial surveillance along north-northwest of Dinagat Island and near Kanhandon Point in Hibusan Island.

“I’m elated for the family and friends of the passengers of The Pineapple, but compelled to point out that this voyage was made without taking basic, commonsense precautions,” said Capt. Thomas Sparks, US Coast Guard Guam commander. – With AP