Private yacht in Subic mistaken for Chinese vessel

A screen shot of the private yacht that was mistaken for a Chinese vessel

MANILA, Philippines — A private yacht that anchored off Subic Bay on Sunday has been mistaken for a Chinese vessel.

Local publication Subic Bay News reported that a suspected Chinese ship entered Subic Bay without notice, sparking intrigue on social media.

SBMA administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma alerted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the report said.

But in a statement to the media, Lorenzana said that the vessel is not a Chinese ship but a private yacht owned by a businessman in Subic.

“Further inquiry states that it used to be the Japanese research and survey vessel the Tankai Maru. It has been bought and converted into a motor yacht. It caters to tourists that are already in Subic,” Lorenzana said.

Eisma has confirmed that the yacht is registered in Subic as Balena II.

“She also said that she and the PCG and PNP maritime units will coordinate for better monitoring of these cruise ships/recreational marine vessels,” Lorenzana said. /kga