TWELVE crew members of mv Strong Trinity, as well as the vessel itself, are missing after Typhoon Odette (Rai) slammed into Cebu on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, packing winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
In a statement, the management of Key West Shipping Line Corp. said it was now conducting search and rescue operations, including chartering a seaplane to expand the scope of its operations.
“The corporation is in the thick of conducting a continuing search and rescue operations of the 12 missing crew members of M/V Strong Trinity and of the vessel itself, which was shipside M/V Mary the Queen in the municipal waters of Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines, on 16 December 2021, to take shelter from super typhoon Odette,” Key West said.
It identified the 12 missing crew members as Captain Reynaldo C. Cuyos, Chief Mate Marholda Leah T. Amora, Second Made Krisxan Dawn N. Labata, AB Seaman Richard Michael M. Baco, AB Seaman Mark Anthony O. Marundan, Chief Engineer Abraham B. Dalumpines, Third Engineer Fritz Gerald B. Torres, Oiler Gifer F. de Pedro, Oiler Lyle B. Dayonot, Oiler Clyde D. Diaz, Oiler James Carlo I. Into and Welder Manuelito G. Oliveros.
Key West assured family members of the missing crew that as soon as it learned of the incident, it immediately coordinated with the appropriate government agencies to locate the crew and the vessel. The company said it is currently providing assistance to the crew’s families.
De Pedro’s cousin Arnel Murga told Superbalita Cebu and SunStar Cebu that they were informed about the incident only last Tuesday, Dec. 21.
On Wednesday, Dec. 22, Murga said his family did not receive any update from Key West.
“We are still waiting. We were informed that the search and rescue operation is still going on,” Murga said.
The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas did not give a reply when asked about the missing crew members and sea vessel. (BBT / CTL)