Motor banca capsizes off Cebu town; 27 rescued

Rudyard Payusan, chiefmate of LCT Crescent, is being attended to after his leg was cut off while trying to rescue the passengers and crew of capsized motorboat. JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN/INQUIRER VISAYAS

CEBU CITY—At least 27 persons including six crewmen were rescued by a passing passenger vessel past 8 a.m. on Saturday, more than eight hours after their motor banca capsized in the waters off Barangay (village) Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

M/B Mansan left Barangay Calituban in Talibon town, Bohol around 9 p.m. on Friday to transport fish, shellfish, seaweed and other marine products to the fish market in Barangay Pasil in Cebu City.

Boat captain Norberto Aparice, 41 and a resident of Calituban, said the waves were still manageable when they left Talibon.

However, the nylon rope used to hold the bamboo poles that kept the balance of the boat was cut off.

Aparice said they tried to keep the balance of the boat by throwing their cargoes into the sea. According to him, he and his crew distributed life jackets to their passengers.

But the waves caused the boat to tilt and capsize.

Aparice said they held on to the different parts of the boat until a barge and a passenger vessel passed by.

Rudyard Payusan, chief mate of LCT Crescent, tried to rescue the passengers but his leg got entangled with either the cable or nylon he was using.
According to Aparice, Payusan’s leg was cut off by the nylon or cable.

This was also confirmed by Alfredo Antojado who happened to be one of the passengers of MV Filipinas Dinagat of Cokaliong Shipping Lines which came from Surigao City.

Antojado said the rescue operation was so difficult because of the strong waves.

MV Filipinas Dinagat had to turn around four times until the vessel was able to start the rescue operation, which lasted for 2 hours.

The vessel later brought the passengers of Pier 1.

Aparice said MB Mansan is owned by Nolito Abapo. They were usually hired by businessmen in Talibon who delivered fish and marine products to Pasil. RAM

RELATED STORIES

At least 35 dead as ferry capsizes off Ormoc City

Boat capsizes off Cebu; 15 rescued