Bad weather halts search for dive boat

BAD DREAM A diving trip turned into a nightmare after the dive yacht MY Dream Keeper sank in the vicinity of Tubbataha Reef on Sunday morning. —PHOTO FROM PCG FB PAGE

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The search and rescue operation for the four missing passengers of dive boat MY Dream Keeper that sank in the waters of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) was suspended due to poor weather conditions, authorities said on Wednesday.

After five days, search and rescue teams had yet to find any signs of the missing passengers—a Chinese male, a female dive master and two guests (a male and a female)—who went missing after the yacht was hit by a squall early Sunday, said Western Command (Wescom) spokesperson Commander Ariel Joseph Coloma.On standby

Coloma said Philippine Navy vessel BRP Felix Apolinario (PC-395), which was sent to augment the search and rescue operation in Tubbataha, had to turn around after encountering strong waves while on its way to TRNP on Tuesday.

“But it is still on standby and will proceed as soon as the weather turns good,” Coloma told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

Wescom sent PC-395 to Tubbataha to reinforce BRP Carlos Albert (PC-375) which was first sent to assist other agencies and private yachts in the conduct of the search and rescue.

Coloma said Wescom also deployed a Philippine Navy islander and a Philippine Air Force Sokol helicopter to conduct an aerial search over Tubbataha.

The United States Armed Forces also extended assistance, as it recently deployed one P-8 Poseidon and two V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that conducted aerial sorties.

The Philippine Coast Guard will send additional vessels to augment the search and rescue team.

—GERALDFORD TICKE