Source: Google Map
CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 11 crew members were rescued from a fishing boat that capsized and sunk in the waters off Caubian Island, located some 9 nautical miles east off Mactan Island, on Sunday afternoon, March 24.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Encina, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas (PCG-7), said they received the report of the capsized sea vessel at 4:55 p.m.
Encina said that the pumpboat capsized due to strong waves near Caubian Island.
“At this time po safe ba po yung lahat na 11 na sakay ng fishing pumpboat. Initially yung sinabi ng mga na-rescue, kaya sila nasiraan is because malakas ang alon sa may area ng Caubian Island,” Encina told CDN Digital in a phone interview.
The crew, Encina said, were first rescued by the crew of another fishing vessel, MB Makulit.
They were turned over to the responding PCG-7 personnel and were brought to Barangay Marigondon in Lapu-lapu City.
Encina said their personnel have yet to identify the owner of then sunken fishing boat.
“Hindi pa namin naconfirm yung name [of the sunken fishing boat] kasi lumubog na po siya pagdating ng mga tao namin,” Encina explained. /elb