20 stranded Pinoy seafarers arrive from Japan

MANILA, Philippines -  Twenty seafarers stranded in their vessel M/V Coral Ring after it was swept by the Japan tsunami arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday.

The seafarers arrived on board Cathay Pacific flight CX903 around 6:30 p.m. from Japan via Hong Kong after they were rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard.

Ericson Marquez, president of manpower agency Mercury Shipping said the rescued seafarers were first billeted at the Spa hotel in Fukushima then transferred to the Nodori hotel near the Narita Airport while waiting for their flights to Manila.

The 20 seamen are Rodolfo Ador Lanutan, Nelson Victoria, Robert Pastoriza, Mark Guiritan, Arnulfo Alcantara, Alan Delantar, Rafael Macalindog, Hope Benedicto, Niceta Matalines, Dennis Chan, Efren Nervida, Gilbert Maramag, Dennis Biscocho, Michael Aspa, Roberto Ochia, Joemel Dasmariñas, Cesar Lili, Paulino Tinoy Jr., Alexander Coronel and Nemie Simera.

The Coral Ring was at the Onahama Port in Fukushima when the earthquake and tsunami struck.                                         

The seafarers were met by their families at the airport.

The Philippine embassy in Tokyo is facilitating the repatriation of 10 other seafarers in Sendai. Six of them were stranded at Sendai Airport that was inundated with floodwaters. Four other Filipino seafarers on shore leave in Sendai are in evacuation centers.                                                       

Meanwhile, Human Quarantine Dr. Vicenta Vasquez at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said that they have no capability or instrument at point of entry to detect any arriving passengers afflicted by nuclear radiation.

She said the 20 seafarers will be placed under observation but assured the public that radiation contamination is not contagious.