4 Norwegians rescued after yacht drifts in Catanduanes waters

The Philippine Coast Guard said it has rescued four Norwegian nationals who were stranded after their yacht drifted in the waters of Catanduanes on Saturday.

The distressed vessel was identified as SY Nora Simrad which was found drifting in the vicinity waters off Cabugao Bay in the municipality of Virac.

????????????????: PCG has rescued the four Norwegian nationals onboard SY NORA SIMRAD sailboat that was found drifting in the vicinity waters off Cabugao Bay, Virac, Catanduanes yesterday, 17 May 2025.

??https://t.co/0EO9uRXE9D#DOTrPH ????????#CoastGuardPH#MaritimeSectorWorks pic.twitter.com/Btr2IEim32

— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) May 18, 2025

According to the PCG, the Coast Guard Station Catanduanes received a distress call, then initiated coordination efforts and tried to establish radio communication to locate the distressed vessel. No response was received, however.

The Coast Guard District Bicol (CGDBCL) then contacted the Philippine Air Force's Tactical Operations Group 5 for aerial surveillance.

After the vessel's location was confirmed, authorities made arrangements to tow the distressed vessel.

From the Legazpi Port, the tugboat M/T Iriga was dispatched together with a Deployable Response Team composed of personnel from the Special Operations Unit Bicol (SOU-BCL), Maritime Safety Services Unit Bicol (MSSU-BCL), CG Medical Station Bicol (CG MEDS-BCL), CG Nursing Service Sub-unit Bicol (CG NSSU-BCL), and Civil Relations Group Bicol (CRG-BCL). The team was to provide assistance aside from towing the vessel toward the port of Catanduanes.

The four crew members aboard SY Nora Simrad were rescued and were given medical evaluation by the CG Medical Station Bicol upon their arrival at the port. They were pronounced in good health. —KG, GMA Integrated News