Cargo ship rescues 6 from capsized boat
ZAMBOANGA CITY: A passing Panamanian cargo ship rescued six Filipinos from a capsized boat off the southern Philippine province of Sulu after strong winds and huge waves battered the ill-fated sea craft.
This was confirmed by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, saying the boat, M/B Lorena, was heading to Zamboanga City on Saturday, February 17, when it capsized off Pangutaran Island.
The passengers, five men and one woman, managed to cling on their wooden boat which had been totally submerged when they were spotted by the cargo ship M/V Navios Lumen and rescued them.
“The motor banca was traveling from Mapun en route to Zamboanga City when it encountered rough seas and strong currents causing it to capsize while the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M/V Navios Lumen was also traversing the area,” said Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, the navy commander.
“Upon sighting of the capsized motor banca with six persons holding to its side, M/V Navios Lumen immediately maneuvered to rescue the victims and render assistance.”
He said the cargo ship reported the incident to the nearest authority — the Littoral Monitoring Station based in Pilas Island — and the Philippine Navy dispatched a patrol boat to fetch the rescued Filipinos later in the day.
The Filipinos were fed by Navy personnel and eventually handed over to social workers in Tawi-Tawi province before sending them home.
“We are glad that the boatmen were safe and in good condition after the bulk carrier found them and handed them over to us. We are also glad that we can work promptly together with our friends from civilian vessels that transit our waters and with the aid of our LMS, to ensure every seafarer’s safety, especially during rough seas and bad weather, “Miraflor said.