Coast Guard rescues Scottish tourist off Catmon town in Cebu

CEBU CITY — The Coast Guard in Central Visayas rescued an injured Scottish tourist off Catmon town in Cebu on Thursday.

Ronald Cruickshank, 64, made a distress call around 3:24 p.m. after sustaining injuries on his head and neck while maneuvering his yacht which encountered engine trouble.

In a message to the Inquirer, PCG-7 spokesperson Michael John Encina said Cruickshank was alone in his yacht.

The PCG’s BRP Suluan was on patrol in the area and immediately conducted a search and rescue operation for the motor yacht “Hawkeye” some five nautical miles east of Catmon. The town is located 56 kilometers north of Cebu City.

Medical assistance was given to the Scottish national who is in Cebu as a tourist. “He requested for medical assistance due to head and back injuries caused by personal accident onboard,” Encina said.

Hawkeye was towed to Carmen town, and Cruikshank was later brought to Danao City Hospital.

The PCG-7 is currently conducting intensive patrol around the seas off Cebu province as there is usually an influx of tourists during the summer season.

Coast Guard District Central Visayas said the continuing operations initiative is called iCare Campaign Plan or the intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response and Enforcement for the seas in the Central Visayas region.

The multi-agency operation is also a form of deterrence against the entry of terror groups in the region. /ee