Tanker catches fire off Batangas; 2 dead

MANILA, Philippines — Two persons died when a motor tanker caught fire while at anchorage in the waters off Batangas yesterday morning.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Southern Tagalog district said the remains of the victims were recovered following the incident that occurred on M/T Sea Horse. 

Another person reportedly survived and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

PCG-Batangas Station commander Capt. Jerome Jeciel said they have yet to confirm if the fatalities were from the Sea Horse, noting one of the cadavers was recovered from the water. 

“It is possible that the person was thrown off the ship during an explosion. There were burns in his body,” Jeciel said.

The Sea Horse reportedly had five crewmembers. Two of them reportedly went home before the incident occurred.

“We are still confirming if there were really only three persons on board the ship when the fire occurred,” Jeciel said.

A search and rescue operation has been launched by the PCG-Batangas.

The Vessel Traffic Management System alerted the PCG about the fire that broke out at around 9 a.m.

Firefighters and rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the provincial disaster risk reduction management office as well as the PCG managed to put out the fire at 11:08 a.m. 

Three tugboats – Great Lark, Sedar 7 and Sedar 8 – helped the team put out the fire.

The Marine Environmental Protection Group and fuel firm Petron prepared booms to control any possible oil spill.

“We are still searching for documents that can help our investigation and determine the circumstances surrounding the fire,” Jeciel said.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.

Also yesterday, 54 passengers and nine crewmembers were rescued after the motor vessel Our Lady of Fatima 03 developed engine trouble as it was sailing near Fortune Island in Batangas. 

The vessel departed the port of Tilik in Lubang at around 7 a.m. It was transiting between Ambil and Fortune Island when it developed engine trouble at around 9 a.m.

The crewmembers tried but failed to repair the engine.

A sister ship of the Fatima 03, MV Lubang Express, responded and towed the distressed vessel toward the port of Wawa in Nasugbu.

The crewmembers and passengers were given medical assistance. — Ed Amoroso