60 rescued after motor launch boat drifts off Tawi-Tawi

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 60 people after a motor launch (ML) boat drifted in a shallow area off Tawi-Tawi, the agency reported on Thursday.

A total of 60 passengers and crew were rescued after ML Nurhidzra drifted off Bongao, Tawi-Tawi last Wednesday.

According to the advisory of PCG, the saved passengers were brought to the vicinity waters of Sitio Subah, Manangkay by the search and rescue team of Coast Guard Station (CGS).

The CGS Bongaom, the report said, received a call from Capt. Muhsin Durje Amil stating that ML Nurhidzra encountered a “steering casualty” that led to the drift.

“ML Nurhidzra incurred damages to her port side freeboard causing her to take in seawater at the cargo holding area and submerged at her starboard side,” the PCG advisory said.

ML Nurhidzra was bound for Languyan, Tawi-Tawi from Bangao Chinese Pier. /je