53 rescued from damaged boat off Tawi-Tawi in Sulu

The boat came from Bongao town on Tawi-Tawi in Sulu (Image from Google Maps)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Eleven crew members and 42 passengers were rescued from a motor launch that was drifting on the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday, April 9, according to reports reaching here today.

Rear Adm. Erick Kagaoan, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the passenger boat, ML Yasda II, developed engine trouble and had drifted to a nearby island some 28.5 nautical miles (around 53 km) southeast of Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi.

“The vessel, a wooden hull, was supposed to go to Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi. They departed Bongao on that same day when they were rescued,” Kagaoan said.

According to Navy Capt. Richard Gonzaga, commander of Naval Task Force 61, Taganak Island is about one day of travel at sea from Bongao.

“When the vessel departed from Bongao and reached more than 20 nautical miles [about 37 km], they encountered engine trouble. They radioed for help, and luckily, our personnel, who were in the vicinity for maritime patrol operations were able to rescue them,” Gonzaga said.

Kagaoan said their vessel, the BA482, a multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), positioned itself alongside the damaged boat and guided it until they reached Lamion Wharf in Bongao.

All 53 persons aboard the damaged boat were unharmed, Kagaonan said.

/atm