Cebu Coast Guard Station sends rescue team to distressed cargo ship

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Station has sent a rescue team to a distressed cargo ship that encountered huge waves off the coast of Bohol on Sunday.

According to the PCG Cebu Station, MV Good Fortune owned by Tektite Shipping “was in distress and dead on the water” which means that their engine had already stopped at around 12:46 p.m.

The vessel was en route to Tacloban City from Naga City in Cebu carrying some 1,639 metric tons of cement. It has 16 crew members.

One of their crew members, John Paul Lato, created a Facebook live showing seawater inside their ship while they are already wearing life vests.

The Coast Guard report however said the ship was able to anchor itself near Lapinig Island in Bohol while rescue efforts were undertaken by their counterparts there.

“Initial inquiry conducted with the ship captain revealed that while underway at the said vicinity, they encountered strong winds and big waves and the main engines malfunctioned brought about by the ingress of seawater into the ship deck,” the report added.

Shortly before 3 p.m., Lato again posted on Facebook asking for help.

“Coast Guard help us. Waves are smashing on us. Our engines are not working and there is already water at the engine room which we are trying to remove.”

According to Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea, PCG Cebu station chief, their rescue team is still trying to reach the vessel and will posts updates soon.

/MUF