Boat sinks off Boracay; 10 tourists rescued, captain still missing

MANILA, Philippines - Ten foreigners were rescued while a boat captain remained missing when the vessel capsized due to big waves off Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan last Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said the motorized boat Captain K sank some 500 meters off Barangay Yapak in Boracay. There were 13 people onboard.

The rescued foreigners were identified as Larry Brader, 28; Eunali Shin, 26; Kieren Dillon, 26; Ian Almon, 29; Nick Hollis, 24; Fleur Deconinc, 27; Philippade De Fon Blanque, 28; and Alaisteir Curry, 24, all Britons; Akiko Sacay, a Japanese national; and New Zealander William Finn.

Besides boat captain Ramy Paloma, 30, who still remained missing, the two other Filipinos onboard the Captain K were Michael Cortan, 29, the lone crewmember, and Jason Cooper, 30, the tour guide.

According to a report reaching the PCG, the tourists were on an island-hopping adventure when the boat, battered by big waves, capsized at around 11 a.m. Thursday.

It was around 2:15 p.m. when the PCG detachment in Boracay got information on the sinking, and it promptly dispatched a rescue unit. 

The PCG personnel rescued the 10 foreign tourists, Cortan and Cooper. The foreigners were first brought to the Don Ciriaco S. Tirol Memorial Hospital for treatment of their bruises before they were allowed to return to their hotel. 

As of press time, Ricafrente said there was still an ongoing search for Paloma.