Navy rescues another distressed vessel

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (December 4, 2017) – A Philippine Navy ship rescued a vessel which suffered from derangement at the vicinity of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan on Friday evening (Dec. 1, 2017), military official said.

Information officer Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina AFP, Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) disclosed that the Naval Forces Western Mindanao received the report of a distressed vessel at about 7:20 p.m. on Dec 1, 2017. NFWM through the Naval Task Force 61 directed the BRP Iwak (LC 289) to immediately proceed to the location of the said vessel to provide area assessment and render necessary assistance. LC 289 then immediately departed Ensign Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Calarian, Zamboanga City.

RADM Medina said that En route to the location of the said vessel, LC 289 commanded by Cmdr. Homer D Gonzalez PN (GSC) established communication with the distressed vessel which was identified as M/L Fatimah Devie led by the Boat Captain, Capt Cisar J Abdul and seven crew members. On board the said vessel are 59 civilian passengers.

M/L Fatimah Devie was heading to Zamboanga City from Taganak Port when the rudder broke that resulted to a major steering casualty. At 10:20p.m., the vessel was rescued and assisted by LC 289 and was towed from Malamaui Island, Basilan and arrived at Baliwasan, Zamboanga City at around 1:38 am of Dec. 2.

Another similar incident occurred last August 1, 2017, where in the PN Landing Craft, BRP Ivatan (LC 298) rescued the distressed vessel, M/L Moonlight Sheera that suffered from a machinery derangement due to a broken propeller shaft. The crew members of the said vessel were safely and successfully ferried back to Zamboanga City Pier, he added.

RADM Medina further added that recently (Nov. 20), the Navy also apprehended a group of armed men believed to be members of ASG at Tonquil Island in Sulu who are behind the conduct of harassment and piracy to commercial fishing vessels transiting in the area. These apprehensions are a result of the intensified military operations and patrols in the area that aim to put an end to the lawless activities in the region.

The successful rescue operations of the Navy vessels proves the readiness and responsiveness of the Naval Force in the Western Mindanao. The Philippine Navy stands ready to render assistance and support to vessels in distressed while conducting its missions and maritime patrols in the Western Mindanao region.