37 fishers rescued after vessel capsized off Palawan waters — BFAR

Thirty-seven fishermen were rescued after their vessel capsized in the waters of Balabac, Palawan, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the BFAR said F/V ANDREI SARAH departed San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on January 18.

“Due to rough seas and engine failure, the boat captain directed the vessel toward a calmer area between Balabac and Tawi-Tawi Islands, intending to reach Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan for repairs,” it said.

“However, the vessel struck a reef and broke into half near Onok Island in Balabac at 4 a.m. on January 29, causing it to capsize,” it added.

The incident was reported to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) detachment in Onok Island, prompting the Coast Guard Station in Balabac Island to respond, the BFAR said.

“By 10 a.m. of the same day, a PCG vessel arrived and rescued all 37 crew members. The fishers, along with their recovered equipment, were taken to the Coast Guard Station in Balabac, Palawan,” it added.

On January 31, BFAR’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya and BRP Datu Bankaw retrieved 32 of the 37 fishermen and ferried them back to their homeport. They received provisions and medical assistance upon their arrival at Port of Caminawit in Occidental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, the remaining five crew members, including the master fisherman and boat mechanic, stayed in Balabac to oversee the salvaged fishing gears, according to the BFAR. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News