PCG set to terminate retrieval operation in Catalyn-B wreck

MANILA, Philippines - After 43 days of conducting search, rescue and retrieval operations, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday it is set to terminate its mission in the M/V Catalyn-B which capsized off Cavite after colliding with steel-hulled fishing boat F/B Anatalia last Christmas Eve.

Commodore Luis Tuason Jr., PCG-National Capital Region-Central Luzon (NCR-CL) district commander, said that based on reports from the Philippine Technical Divers (PhilTech) and Lt. Cmdr. Neil Azcuna, captain of BRP Pampanga, there are no more bodies in the shipwreck.

This brought the final and official tally to 27 deaths, six still missing and 47 survivors. The PCG has conducted at least 10 successful sorties since Dec. 24.

“I was able to talk to Lt. Cmdr. Azcuna who was on board the BRP Pampanga and he was able to see the video taken by the divers from the M/V Catalyn-B and he said that it seemed that there were no more bodies inside the vessel. I will just wait for the PCG vessel to arrive at the PCG headquarters and view the latest video to confirm or validate the report,” Tuason said.

The BRP Pampanga, which has been transporting the divers and rescuers to Limbones Island in Cavite since the first day of the PCG’s operations, was expected to arrive at 4:30 p.m. yesterday.