PCG continues rescue ops for missing in ferry mishap

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) resumed yesterday search and rescue operations for the missing passengers of fastcraft M/V

Mercraft 3 that sank last Dec. 21 off Polilio Island in Quezon after some relatives reported that seven more passengers are still unaccounted for.

PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said some families have reported to the Coast Guard station in Real, Quezon that their relatives are still missing. The 206-ton ferry M/V

Mercraft 3 sank at the vicinity of Dinahican town and Polilio Island.

Authorities said the fastcraft had 258 passengers and crew and initial reports showed that five people were killed, 246 others rescued while seven remained missing.

The vessel, owned by Mercraft Shipping Lines Corp., left Ungos Port and was five nautical miles away from Polilio Island when it sank.

“PCG officer-in-charge Commodore Joel Garcia had also given instructions that there would be no let up in the search and rescue for the seven missing persons. In fact, we are now conducting coastal patrol just in case there were sightings of missing people in some of the coastal towns,” said Balilo.

Aside from using PCG patrol boats and local fishing boats, authorities also deployed yesterday morning an Islander plane and helicopter to join the search operations.

The PCG plane and helicopter were later recalled due to bad weather in the area.

The PCG is investigating the cause of the mishap, including reports that the boat sank due to stormy seas brought by the then approaching Tropical Storm Vinta.

Probers are also looking into another report that the vessel was hit by a floating object that damaged the hull.

Balilo said there is another report that passengers from another boat were transferred to the M/V

Mercraft 3 and the new passengers were not included in the passenger manifest.

Another reported claimed that the fastcraft docked at another port and picked up more passengers.

He pointed out that their PCG personnel at the port in Real, Quezon have even delayed the departure of the M/V Mercraft 3 because of rough seas and the vessel was only allowed to sail when the weather cleared.