19 ships, thousands stranded as ‘Santi’ nears Zambales

MANILA, Philippines—At least 19 vessels and over 2,400 passengers have been stranded in several ports as typhoon Santi (international name: Nari) approached Zambales.

In a release by the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday that as of Friday night, more than 2,457 passengers were reported stranded in its regional piers.

Coast Guard Station (CGS) Manila – 166 passengers and nine vessels

CGS Albay – 705 pasengers and four vessels

CGS Romblon – 17 passengers and three vessels

CGS Catanduanes – 12 passengers and two vessels

CGS Puerto Real – 15 passengers

CGS Batangas – 1,183 passengers

CGS Calapan – 120 passegers

CGS Mamburao – 56 passengers

CGS Lucena – 166 passengers

CGS Camarines Sur – 17 passengers

PCG Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said in a statement that PCG offices have been in close coordination with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils in case rescue operations were needed in heavily-affected areas.

Isorena, meanwhile, advised the operators of small vessels, motor bancas and fishing boats to avoid sailing towards the southwest and western section of the country where the seas were rough.

The Philippine News Agency quoted the Coast Guard chief as advising boat operators with open deck and fishermen in the areas not directly affected by the typhoon to exercise extra diligence in sailing.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 8 a.m., Santi slightly weakened as it was last observed over the West Philippine Sea—40 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales—bringing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kph.

It is predicted to move West at 22 kilometers per hour.

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‘Santi’ weakens, now on West PH Sea