23 Pinoys declared safe from Baltic Sea mishap

The Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday all 23 Filipino crew members of the cargo vessel that ran aground in the Baltic Sea last Monday are accounted for and safe.

Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Victoria Bataclan, in a report to the DFA, said that 15 of the Filipino crewmen and one Ghanaian were evacuated by the Latvian Air Force and Swedish rescue helicopters and are presently billeted at the Hotel Ostina in the port of Ventspils.

The Filipino captain of the ill-fated MV Golden Sky Reynaldo Mortel and seven other Filipino crew members remain on board the ship, on the decision of Captain Mortel, presumably for salvage operations.

The crewmen remaining with Capt. Mortel are Chief Mate Camilo Carsano, Chief Engineer Perlo Andrino, 3rd Engineer Rene Capanas, 4th Engineer Jose Samson Chiva, Electrician Reynaldo Petras, Bosun Orbito Bayaban, and AB Raji Jimster Bonite.

The 16 crew members who were flown from the ship to the mainland’s port of Vestpils are: Second Mate Erik Tumanong; Third Mate Ronald Loreno; 2nd Engineer Ernesto de la Cruz; Fitter Victor Deke (Ghanaian); Fitter Robelito Ycong; AB Noel Bagon; AB Ruiz Faciolan; AB Omilio Sarno; Deck Cadet Mark Anthony Balinget; Deck Cadet Rodolfo Landicho, Jr.; Deck Cadet Ramie Magno; Deck Cadet Manuel Villanueva; Oiler Ariel Amba; Oiler Dante Leja; Oiler Rico Tabunan; and Cook Cielito Risma.

Embassy officials have spoken with representatives of Samios Shipping in Greece, and received assurances of the crew’s safety. — Marvin Sy