Navy ship rescues distressed fishing vessel

MPAC Spotted the distress vessel “TB Zamboanga Sun"

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (July 29, 2017) – A Philippine Navy vessel under the operational control of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rescued a distressed fishing vessel on Wednesday (July 26) afternoon 1.5 nautical miles off Manicahan, Sangali, Zamboanga City, military official said.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) information officer Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina (AFP), Commander, disclosed that BA 484, a Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) rescued the vessel identified as TB Zamboanga Sun with two crew members Mr Roberto M Santiago, 50 years old, Boat Captain/Engineer and Mr Paterno A Dela Rosa, 31 years old, navigator.

RADM Medina said that the Naval Forces Western Mindanao immediately directed the MPAC in the area to conduct search and rescue operation to the distressed fishing vessel that was reported to be submerged and was no longer able to respond and transmit radio messages.

Crew of “TB Zamboanga Sun” accommodated aboard BA-484

He said that the shallow waters posed a difficulty for the Navy to rescue the said vessel, but after several attempts and in coordination with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) the vessel was towed and its crew was rescued and ferry back to Zamboanga City Pier.

On May 18, 2017, a Navy vessel also gave assistance to distressed tankers of Chelsea Shipping Corporation who suffered from engine failure, RADM Medina added.

 

Crew of “TB Zamboanga Sun” were ferry back at Zamboanga City Pier

Rest assured that NFWM will always be ready to deploy its units to provide necessary assistance to vessels in the area and will continue to provide security to Western Mindanao waters, said RADM Medina.