45 persons rescued as Samal-bound tour boat capsizes off Davao City

Forty-five passengers and crew members were rescued after their tour boat capsized off the coast of Davao City over the weekend.

According to a report on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas Ngayon, MV Sam Christopher was on its way to the Island Garden City of Samal for an island-hopping tour.

The boat started to sink shortly after leaving the Sta. Ana Wharf, plunging the passengers and their luggage into the water.

No casualties were reported from the incident as personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Davao Station and an emergency medical vehicle of the Central 911 immediately responded, rescuing  all 45 people on board.

According to the PCG station commander, a rod tied to a sinker was caught in the boat's propeller, causing the vessel to stagger and later fill up with water.

"So during the maneuver niya, sir, 'yung propeller niya nakakain ng tali sa ilalim kung saan yung tali connected doon sa sinker...kasi previously merong buoy diyan eh natanggal lang yung taas, nagkaroon siya ng forward motion, pagkakain nung tali, nagkahilaan ng bangka at saka yung sinker tapos nagkaroon po ng tension kung saan nahila yung portion ng bangka natin kung saan nagkaroon ng damage doon,  kung saan dumaan yung tubig papasok ng bangka," Commander George Maganto explained.

The Maritime Industry Authority said the boat owner may be held liable for the accident.

Authorities have also conducted clearing operations at the wharf to avoid similar incidents from happening. —Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA News