15 fishers rescued in waters off Pangasinan town

The Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, M/V Kumano Maru, found and safely rescued 15 Filipino fishermen some 75 nautical miles west of Agno town in Pangasinan. The fishermen were then turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday. Photo from the PCG

Fifteen fishermen in Pangasinan province were rescued in the waters off Agno town and were safely given assistance in Bataan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

The fishermen’s motor banca, F/B Aqua Princess, capsized when they encountered big waves on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

PCG said in a report that boat captain Eddy Ariño instructed crew members Pedro Manalo and Jerby Regala, who acquired only minor wounds, to use their service boat and ask for the help of the nearest PCG station.

“The rest of their fellow fishermen remained clinging to the outrigger of the capsized motor banca to stay floating in the waters while waiting for rescue,” the PCG said.

The PCG deployed BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) to conduct search and rescue operations, alerting vessels in the vicinity.

According to the PCG, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, M/V Kumano Maru found and safely rescued the fishermen some 75 nautical miles west of Agno.

The crew of M/V Kumano Maru turned over the rescued fishermen to BRP Malapascua, which was at the waters off Bagac, Bataan around 7 p.m. on Sunday.

ZB