Navy rescues 3 British nationals off Palawan

MANILA, Philippines - Three British nationals whose yacht floundered in the rough waters of El Nido, Palawan after encountering mechanical trouble Wednesday night, have been rescued by the Philippine Navy’s Joint Task Force Malampaya.

Western Command (Wescom) spokesman 1Lt. Cherry Tindog said the three British nationals and their yacht marked "Simoune" were brought by Navy Patrol Gunboat 386 to the El Nido pier on Thursday morning.

The identities of the three British nationals were not immediately available, but Tindog said they are safe despite their sea ordeal.

"Their yacht developed mechanical trouble Wednesday evening and floundered on the rough waters 50 nautical miles off the coast of El Nido Wednesday evening," Tindog said.

Tindog said Joint Task Force Malampaya, after being informed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which received a distress call from the ill-fated yacht of the three British nationals, immediately dispatched one of its patrol gunboats.

“Immediately, Patrol Gunboat 386 under the command of Navy Lieutenant Jaspher Galaura proceeded to the area for search and rescue mission and after 12 hours of scouring the rough seas amid bad weather conditions, spotted the ill-fated yacht 2.5 nautical miles of Lalutaya Island and safely rescued three British nationals at around 2 p.m. yesterday,” Tindog said.

Tindog said that after processing the three British nationals would  be turned over to proper authorities.