Cargo vessel runs aground off Coron

MANILA, Philippines — A cargo vessel ran aground off the coast of Coron Island in Palawan on Thursday.

The duty lookout of the landing craft tank Lady Alina “miscalculated” the position of the vessel due to zero visibility, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The vessel’s global positioning system device “did not detect” the reef where the ship, which carried containers, ran aground, it said.

The PCG’s Coron station and its marine environmental protection unit said an oil spill assessment yielded a negative result.

The 17 crewmembers of the cargo vessel were all “in good physical condition and will remain aboard,” the PCG reported.

As of  8 a.m. yesterday, the cargo vessel had ”successfully maneuvered away from the shallow waters,” the PCG said.

Meanwhile, five fishermen were rescued after their motorboat suffered engine trouble in the waters between Romblon and Quezon province.

The Romblon station and Cajidiocan substations of the PCG deployed search and rescue teams after a sister of one of the fishermen sought help after she was informed of the mishap.

The fishing boat was found to have drifted off the waters of Barangay Pasig in Claveria, Masbate due to big waves.

The PCG said three passing motorboats rescued the fishermen.