Coast Guard rescues 71 passengers off Northern Samar

PHOTO: Philippine Coast Guard personnel on a raft with the PCG seal superimposed. STORY: Coast Guard rescues 71 passengers off Northern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 71 passengers of a roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) vessel that encountered engine failure off Capul, Northern Samar, on Sunday evening.

In a statement on Monday, the PCG said its personnel in Capul, along with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, conducted the rescue operation and ensured the safety of all passengers onboard MV Reina Hosanna around 8 to 9 p.m.

According to the agency, the vessel left Matnog, Sorsogon, with 71 passengers and 30 rolling cargo when its engine conked out on its way to Allen, Northern Samar.

READ: PCG finds 7 who went missing after boats capsize off Palawan

READ: Cops, PCG vow to protect Quezon’s Lamon Bay vs illegal fishing

READ: Call of duty in West PH Sea: A coast guard family’s sacrifice

READ: PCG website remains secure, says Balilo amid reported hacking attempts

Another vessel — MV Reina Immaculada — tried to tow the distressed vessel but failed when the mooring line tore during the operation.

“The said incident, followed by strong currents, caused MV Reina Hosanna to run aground along the shoreline of Barangay 1, Capul,” the PCG added.

The PCG is still monitoring the status of the distressed vessel, including the rolling cargoes on board.

Read more...