Ship's engine malfunctions; 26 passengers, crew rescued

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued all 26 passengers and crewmen of a vessel which encountered engine problem off Batangas last Saturday night.

PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Algier Ricafrente said the 14 passengers and 12 crewmembers of M/V San Carlo Uno are now safe.

Ricafrente said the vessel, owned and operated by the Aurelio Shipping Corp., encountered engine trouble at around 9:40 a.m. Saturday at seven nautical miles southwest of Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas.

He said the vessel departed Tilik, Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro at around 8:05 a.m. Saturday and was bound for Delpan in Tondo, Manila when the incident happened.

The vessel’s captain, identified as Danilo Jara, reported the incident to the PCG detachment in Tilik at around 12:50 p.m. Saturday. 

The detachment then relayed the information to the PCG detachments in Nasugbu and Bataan, which in turn alerted the PCG Action Center. 

Ricafrente said the PCG immediately deployed its rescue vessel, BRP Nueva Viscaya (SARV-3502), to provide the necessary assistance.

Ricafrente said the passengers were given medical checkup, particularly one who had a mild stroke, and another who has diabetes.