Car-carrier ship catches fire near Recto Bank – PCG

MANILA, Philippines — A car-carrier vessel has caught fire near Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday.

PCG Spokesperson Capt. Armand Balilo said MV Diamond Highway came from Singapore and was bound for Batangas when they received report Saturday night that the vessel was “in distress.”

PCG immediately deployed BRP Cabra to the area. BRP Cabra on Monday morning reported that smoke was coming out from the vessel and eventually commenced “firefighting” operation, according to a PCG incident report.

“Nung una, vicinity ng Recto Bank ang timbre samen. Pero later on hinanap namin siya malayo na siya sa Recto Bank. Nag-drift siya kasi in-abandon ‘yung vessel eh so nung nakita siya malapit na siya sa Malampaya, Northern Palawan na,” Balilo said in a phone interview.

Balilo said crew members of the burning vessel were rescued by another vessel, Bulk Carrier Canupos, and were brought to Thailand. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)