PCG rescues at least 10 crew members off half-submerged vessel in Sulu

At least 10 crew members were rescued after their motor vessel, MV Melyn Express, was damaged in the waters off Sulu on January 16, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Tuesday.

In a statement, Coast Guard said the incident occurred in the vicinity waters off Tanjung Pier, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu. The ship captain Muntasir Karanain said they departed from Malaysia bound for Jolo, Sulu, with ten other crew members on board. 

"While approaching Tanjung Pier for a docking maneuver, the vessel ran aground as it accidentally navigated in shallow waters approximately 30 meters from the port," PCG said.

"The incident damaged the vessel's keel and started taking in seawater until it reached the main engine, causing it to become half-submerged," it added.

The PCG team immediately assisted the crew, who were all in good physical condition, and evacuated them for further assistance.

The oil spill assessment conducted by the PCG's marine environmental protection unit showed a negative result.

As of January 17, the PCG team continues to secure the distressed vessel while waiting for it to be pulled out of the water.—Sherilyn Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News