A SEAMAN from Purok High School, Barangay Taloc, Bago City in Negros Occidental has been reported missing on board the M/V Shibumi in the Indonesian waters since January 17.
Michael John Abibiason, 22, works as an engine cadet under the Cardiff
Crewing Filipinas Inc.
His family received a call from the firm’s official Rey Ortega, informing them that he has been reported missing.
Michael John’s father Eric said she and his wife Rosalie have asked the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority for assistance to know what really happened to their son.
“This is very sad. We are so worried about our son. We hope and pray that Michael will be found alive,” he said in an interview Friday, January 20.
The Abibiason family do not have the details or concrete explanation yet from the shipping company.
According to an Indonesian news report, a crew of M/V Shibumi with call sign 9HA2345 flagged Malta, crashed in the waters around the “Bangka Belitung precisely position 64 NM east Pangkal Penang.”
The victim wore a survival suit and rescue operation was conducted soon after they knew of the incident, it was also reported.
A search and rescue operation was conducted upon the directive of Captain Harvy A. Lazarte but they failed to recover the missing person, it further said.
M/V Shibumi continued its journey back to Singapore and rescue boat Pangkal Pinang also went to Port of Tanjung to refuel.
Rescue teams resumed the search but to no avail, the report also said.