MANILA, Philippines – A cargo ship loaded with iron ore has listed off the eastern coast of the Philippines, and passing boats rescued the 14-member crew.
Philippine coast guard operations officer Mark Angue said the Panamanian-registered M/V Sun Spirit began to list Saturday off Catanduanes province and sent a distress signal. The coast guard immediately deployed three ships and a helicopter for a search and rescue.
Angue said the coast guard later learned that the 12 Indonesian and two Korean crewmen abandoned their China-bound ship, which came from the central Philippine province of Leyte.
Coast guard Admiral Ramon Liwag said a passing Philippine cargo ship rescued 11 of the crewmen while a fishing boat saved three others. It was unclear whether the disabled ship sank.