At least 13 people were rescued after their motor boat encountered engine trouble off Itbayat town in Batanes province early Saturday.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the cargo-passenger vessel Itransa I had five passengers and eight crew when it encountered engine trouble.

In a post on its website Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard said its Basco unit coordinated a search-and-rescue operation with the Itransa VII skippered by James Castillo.

At 8:10 a.m., the team rescued the distressed motor boat's crewmembers and passengers.

The team also towed the vessel to Basco Pier, with no untoward incident. — LBG, GMA News