PERSONNEL of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has rescued a cargo vessel in distress off Zamboanga City, a top official announced on Thursday, August 3.

Read Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (MFWM) commander, said the vessel in distress was rescued Tuesday drifting in the vicinity waters off San Ramon.

Medina identified the rescued was M/L Moonlight Sheera, a cargo vessel manned by an eight-man crew. It was loaded with assorted fruits when rescued.

Medina said the vessel was en route to Iloilo City when it "incurred a machinery breakdown from a broken propeller shaft."

He said the NFWM through the Naval Task Force 61 immediately directed the BRP-Ivatan to render assistance upon receipt of distress report from M/L Moonlight Sheera.

BRP-Ivatan safely towed M/L Moonlight Sheera to a private wharf in the village Baliwasan "as requested by the boat captain for expeditious unloading of cargoes on board." (SunStar Philippines)