PCG rescues Fastcat passengers after vessel suffers anchor malfunction

Philippine Coast Guard. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — More than a hundred people were found safe after a passenger vessel experienced engine trouble while dropping its anchor at the Surigao City anchorage area, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.

PCG conducted a search-and-rescue operation after MV Fastcat M17’s anchor winch malfunctioned during the docking maneuver in the vicinity waters of the anchorage area last Feb. 15 (Thursday).

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The passenger vessel was carrying 85 passengers and 44 crew members when it departed from Liloan Port and headed to Surigao Baseport to dock there, according to its captain, Joni Capacite.

“However, while dropping anchor during the docking maneuver, the anchor winch suddenly malfunctioned,” the PCG said in a statement.

“Captain Capacite ordered the retrieval of the anchor through their chain block and assessed the wirings on the malfunctioned machinery,” it added.

PCG’s SAR team coordinated with the crew to safely transfer 22 passengers to its patrol boat.

The PCG patrol boat then ferried the first batch of rescued passengers to the Surigao Baseport.

Other passengers decided to stay on board MV Fastcat M17 to wait for it to dock securely at Surigao Baseport.

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On Feb. 16 (Friday), the remaining 63 passengers on board MV Fastcat M17 were safely unloaded from the vessel at Surigao Baseport.

The PCG advised Capacite to file a marine protest after the incident.