Tourist yacht runs aground in Tubbataha Reef, crew safe — PCG

A motor yacht ran aground inside the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday.

Authorities said the passengers and crew of the 173-ton MY Philippine Siren 2 were safe.

"A total of 28 persons were on board, consisting of 14 divers and 14 Filipino crew members. The divers were composed of nine American nationals, three German nationals, and two Filipino nationals," PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a statement.

The vessel departed Puerto Princesa City on June 10.

The Coast Guard said that it received information regarding the incident at approximately 5 a.m. on June 14.

Cayabyab said the yacht ran aground after encountering a “sudden squall while moored to an anchored buoy approximately 7.2 nautical miles northeast of Tubbataha Reef.”

The coast guard’s response team assigned to a ranger station patrol board proceeded to the area to assess the situation and provide assistance to the passengers.

"As of 9:30 a.m. today, MY Philippine Siren 2 remains aground. No oil spill or signs of marine pollution have been observed in the area," Cayabyab said.

The PCG said the BRP Cape Engaño, Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV-4411), has been deployed to Tubbataha to support environmental protection efforts and provide additional assistance to the 10 crew members who stayed on board the yacht.

“The PCG continues to coordinate with the Tubbataha Management Office and other concerned authorities to monitor the situation and safeguard the protected marine ecosystem within the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park,” PCG said. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News