3 seaweed farmers drifting at sea rescued
Three seaweed farmers on board a drifting boat survived at sea for two weeks before authorities rescued them off Celebes Sea on Jan. 9.
The farmers, Bakri Nuli, Michael Suwaib, and Al Mujer Anim, from Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, spent Christmas and New Year away from home, until they were found by fishing boat San Andres 757.
They were reported missing after they traveled by boat on Dec. 22 from Bongao to Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi.
According to the survivors, they encountered engine problem at 6 p.m. on that day while en route to their destination.
The Philippine Coast Guard identified their boat as “Reebok” that only has an outboard motor.
The PCG said the boat went dead on water until it drifted to Celebes Sea. The farmers found themselves hopelessly lost.
After drifting for 11 days in the sea, the three were spotted by a passing fishing boat owned and operated by San Andres Fishing Industries Inc., whose crew helped them.
The crew reported the incident, leading personnel of the PCG BRP Cape San Agustin and Special Operation Unit-South Western Mindanao to conduct a rescue operation.
Authorities were able to rescue the farmers, who were brought to the Coast Guard Station in Zamboanga City. They later received medical attention upon arriving at the Camp Navarro Hospital at the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.