58 rescued as roro vessel tilts off Quezon

REAL, Quezon, Philippines — Fifty-eight people including passengers and crewmembers were rescued when a roll-on roll-off vessel tilted near a port in this town shortly after midnight yesterday.

The incident involving the motor vessel Virgen de Peñafrancia II occurred at around 12:45 a.m. some 10 meters away from the port of Ungos.

Responding personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) evacuated all 40 passengers and 18 crewmembers of the distressed vessel.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said all passengers and crewmembers were in good physical condition.

Authorities said they spotted a thin oil sheen near the rear portion of the vessel.

The PCG said it would deploy spill booms to prevent a possible oil spill.

Ship operator Starhorse Shipping Lines Inc. said the Virgen de Peñafrancia II had just completed ramping operation when the ropes securing the vessel snapped due to strong water current.

The shipping firm gave assurance that it would coordinate with the PCG and other concerned authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.