PCG: 3 dead, 15 rescued, 2 still missing in vessels' collision near Corregidor

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday said three died, 15 survived, while two remain missing after two vessels, the Marshall Island-flagged chemical and oil product tanker MT Petite Soeur and the Sierra Leone-flagged dredger MV Hong Hai 189,  collided in the waters off Corregidor Island on Friday.

"Kahapon may na-recover na tayong isa doon sa diving operations," PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We were able to recover one body yesterday in a diving operation.)

The PCG is still searching for those still missing, he said, with additional divers to be deployed.

PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu has already ordered an investigation into the collision, Balilo said.

As the Petite Soeur's captain submitted a protest or statement on the collision, the PCG said that it was possible that the collision was due to human error given that the weather was calm at the time of the incident.

"Sinabi [ng kapitan ng Petite Soeur na] pumasok doon sa traffic separation scheme yung Hong Hai at masyadong malapit. Tapos di niya nakontrol, di na naihinto yung barko. Pagkatapos tinamaan sa pwet ng Hong Hai ," said Balilo in Dano Tingcungco's Sunday 24 Oras Weekend report.

(The Petite Soeur's captain said that the Hong Hai had entered the traffic separation scheme and was too close. He couldn't contol, he couldn't stop the ship. After which the Hong Hai was hit on the stern.)

The PCG was also trying to determine whether the ships had crossed paths or whether there was an attempt to overtake.

"Usually dapat may safe distance at dapat proper ang maneuver at comm sa katabing barko," added Balilo.

(Usually, there should be a safe distance, as well as proper maneuvering and communications with nearby ships.)

"Kung mago-overtake ka, may rights kung sino ang give way vessel at saka  may right of way."

(If you are trying to overtake, there are rules on who should give way and who has the right of way.)

The other vessel involved is the Sierra Leone-flagged dredger MV Hong Hai 189 which capsized.

The MV Hong Hai 189 came from Botolan, Zambales and had 20 crew members on board. The MT Petite Soeur on the other hand, left the port of Mariveles, Bataan prior to the incident, the PCG said. —KG, GMA Integrated News