Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Semirara sub-station in Caluya, Antique rescued eight crew members of a sunken cargo vessel on Tuesday.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Alan Mandado, PCG Antique deputy station commander, on Wednesday said MB Roxane-L which came from Barangay Caminawit, Mindoro, capsized three nautical miles west of Barangay Semirara.
“The cargo vessel was supposed to transport 100 sacks of rice, 100 sacks of feeds, and other goods to Barangay Semirara, Caluya in Antique province when it sank due to the strong water current,” he said.
Antique has been hit by continual rains due to southwest monsoon enhanced by “Fabian” since July 16.
Mandado said the vessel left Barangay Caminawit, Mindoro around 2:45 p.m. of July 20, but experienced engine trouble in the vicinity of Barangay Semirara. It suffered damage and was eventually submerged by the strong water current and downpour around 3:06 p.m.
“A resident of Barangay Semirara, Rowena T. Delos Santos informed the PCG Semirara sub-station that she received a phone call that the MB Roxane-L had an engine trouble that’s why the Coast Guard personnel was able to immediately conduct rescue operation,” Mandado said.
He added that MB Roxane-L skipper Anthonio Dimamay with his crew members Judy Brabonga, Randy Zafra, Nonjel delos Reyes, Jeffrey Pugata, Nilo dela Cruz, Ronald dela Cruz, and Jenrel Arquio are now being taken care of by Barangay Captain Catherine Lim and the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Semirara.
So far, there were no cargoes retrieved yet from the vessel, Mandado said.
MB Roxane-L owner Captain Edzel Inumerable, in a statement issued right after the rescue operation, assured cargo owners that they will be refunded of their losses.
“We apologized for the inconvenience and we appeal for your understanding and consideration in this trying time,” Inumerable said.
He said that are thankful that no life was lost from the tragedy.
He lauded the PCG Semirara sub-station and the Semirara barangay officials for their quick response.
Source: Philippines News Agency
