|
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
68 feared missing in boat mishap off Palawan
By Miko Santos
A FERRY boat with at least 68 people onboard was declared missing off the southern tip of Palawan Monday by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG Commandant Arturo Gosingan said the ferry, which came from Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi and was on its way to Brooke's Point, Palawan, sent a distress signal at around 12 noon Sunday.
Gosingan said there has been no contact with the 63-ton ferry since Sunday morning when the vessel transmitted a distress signal saying it's hull was flooded because it developed a crack while heading for Brooke's Point in Palawan from the Cagayan de Sulu island group.
The PCG has launched search operations for the missing ferry.
Naval reconnaissance aircraft dispatched from Palawan were unable to locate the ferry from its last plotted location about 60 nautical miles off Brooke's Point,
Gosingan said.
Two coastguard vessels and one navy ship were battling rough seas in an attempt to reach the last reported location, while a second aircraft was conducting a new aerial search, Gosingan added.
Gosingan said, "The current sea condition is very rough due to strong northeasterly winds prevailing in the area at this time of the year."
The ferry was carrying at least 68 passengers and an undetermined number of crewmen as well as a cargo of coconut meat.
The Western Command of the AFP has also been alerted to help in the search.
(December 23, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
