Passengers rescued after ferry runs aground near Bohol
MV Starlite Saturn ran aground on the Danajon Bank off Talibon town, Bohol on Tuesday, Feb. 28. (Photo courtesy of PCG-7)
CEBU CITY — After more than 22 hours, passengers of a ship that ran aground in the sea off Talibon town, Bohol were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas in Central Visayas (PCG-7) on Tuesday night.
According to PCG-7 operations officer, Lt. Junior Grade Stephen Pagcaliwagan, a total of 88 passengers were safely transferred to another passenger vessel, MV St. Camael, en route to the Cebu City port at 8:12 a.m. on Wednesday.
MV Starlite Saturn ran aground on the Danajon Bank near Talibon town, Bohol. The ship, which also has 55 crew members, left the port of Surigao at around 9:43 a.am. on Tuesday.
The PCG-7 launched a search and rescue operations after receiving a report at around 8 p.m. They sent BRP Malamawi to the area while Starlite Company also sent a vessel alongside a military vessel from the Philippine Navy.
The transfer of passengers however were delayed due to “unfavorable weather conditions,” according to the PCG.
In a statement, Starlite Company said all the passengers and crew members on board were “safe.”
Details as to why the vessel ran aground is still being investigated by authorities.
