7 hurt as strong wave hits Mindoro-bound boat

SAN PEDRO CITY – Seven passengers of a fast-craft boat bound for Oriental Mindoro were injured after strong waves battered the vessel, authorities on Wednesday said.

A report from the Philippine Coast Guard in Batangas said the Oceanjet fast craft left the Batangas port with 245 passengers, when hit by strong waves near Baco Chico island around 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday. The waves shattered the vessel’s windows and water began to gush in, the

report said.

The report said the captain decided to stay on the course as they were only about 3.5 nautical miles away from the port of Calapan in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The vessel reached Calapan around 4 p.m.

Members of the Coast Guard and the Philippine Red Cross in Oriental Mindoro assisted the passengers and rushed the injured to the hospital. CDG