PCG: 12 rescued in Batangas cargo vessel fire

Twelve crew members were rescued after their cargo vessel caught fire in the waters northwest of Limbones Island, Nasugbu, Batangas on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday

“Lahat po ng 12 tripulante nitong MV CASTPHILL have been properly rescued. Nabigyan din po natin ito ng first aid treatment agad-agaran. So lahat naman po ay nasa medical na po natin ng PCG headquarters,” PCG deputy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(All 12 crew members of this MV CASTPHILL have been properly rescued. We also gave them first aid treatment immediately. So, everyone is now in our medical care at the PCG headquarters.)

According to Encina, the fire started after strong winds drifted some styropors to the funnel of the vessel.

BRP Boracay (FPB-2401) at 4:27 a.m. successfully rescued seven crew members, including the vessel’s captain, who sustained minor injuries.

At around 7:35 AM, the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Maragondon rescued an additional five crew members, who were then brought to CGSS Maragondon for medical attention.

BRP Boracay at 7:59 a.m. arrived at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila, where the rescued persons were turned over to the Coast Guard Medical Service (CGMED) for further medical evaluation.

According to Encina, another vessel was deployed to address possible oil spill from MV CASTPHILL. He said the vessel was carrying almost 80,000 of diesel.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring maritime safety and responding promptly to emergencies at sea.—AOL, GMA Integrated News