THE Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), in coordination with the Philippine coast Guard (PCG), rescued 23 people from two sinking water crafts off Basilan province, an official said Friday, January 15.
Lieutenant Senior Grade Chester Ross Cabaltera, NFWM information officer, said that 18 -- 14 crew and four passengers -- were rescued Wednesday, January 13, from M/L Queen Shaima 3 in the vicinity of Lampinigan Island, Isabela City, Basilan.
Cabaltera said the M/L Queen Shaima suffered a hole in the hull that caused the vessel to take in enormous water into its engine room while en route from Zamboanga City to Luuk, Sulu.
The Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (BA494) arrived at the scene and immediately rendered rescue and assistance together with other responders from Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao.
Cabaltera said the BA494 received a similar distress call through cellular phone, relayed by Naval Task Force 61 from the boat captain of Fishing Banca (F/B) Nurshela on the same day (January 13).
He said that F/B Nurshela partially sank due to bad weather and was temporarily towed by a commercial vessel.
He said the BA494 immediately proceeded to the vicinity of Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad town and rescued five people abord the F/B Nurshela.
There were no reported casualties, he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)