PCG divers enter sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) technical divers has entered the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 on Wednesday after an earlier confirmation of its location.

The PCG confirmed the location of the sunken vessel approximately 1.8 nautical miles off Baluk-Baluk Island.

“Commodore Marfe stated that the Technical Diving Group (TDG) positively identified the wreck after clearly reading the vessel’s name, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, marked on the ship’s body,” said PCG in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The divers looked into the vessel as part of the ongoing underwater assessment operations.

“Dive operations are being conducted in accordance with the approved dive plan, with the objective of further assessing the vessel’s condition and supporting possible additional recovery efforts,” the PCG added.

The total number of fatalities from the maritime tragedy rose to 45 after two more bodies were recovered on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the number of survivors remains at 316.

M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 departed from the Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu on the evening of January 25 but it sank in Basilan waters on the morning of January 26.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier grounded the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, the owner of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, as authorities conducted a maritime safety and inspection audit following the incident. — BAP, GMA Integrated News