No one hurt vessel, rescue boat figure in sea mishap

CEBU, Philippines - A cargo vessel loaded with cement hit a rescue boat Friday afternoon after the latter tried to rescue yet another boat stranded in the middle of the Mactan Channel off the cities of Lapu- Lapu and Mandaue.

Emmie Bonghanoy, a Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary based in Barangay Maribago said the collision of the boat and the cargo vessel happened at around 3:40 p.m.

The rescue boat was identified as M/V Boyla 4 while the cargo vessel was recognized as M/V SF Provider that came from Davao City carrying loads of cement. The ship was on its way to San Fernando town in southern Cebu to unload the cement.

Onboard Boyla 4 were Amante Dano, 34; Judibal Patigdas, 16; Virgilio Macasero, 29; all are residents of Sta. Rosa Island in Lapu-Lapu.

Another boat involved in the collision was the M/V Super Blue, which was boarded by Primo Patigdas, Sr., 48; Primo Patigdas Jr., 20; and Martin Torion, 56. The three boatmen were all residents of Olango Island.

Boyla 4 captain Amante Dano said around 10 a.m., the boat was heading to Nalusuan Island with two passengers onboard identified only as Mr. and Mrs. Crispin Roy for an island hopping.

After sending the couple to the island, the boatmen went back on their way to the Maribago public beach at around 2 p.m. At this time, their machine broke down and got stranded on the sea between the Sulpa Island and Hilotongan channel.

The M/V Super Blue that came from Sulpa Island rescued Boyla 4. The rescuing boat was driven by the boat captain Patigdas Sr.

Within that time, the cargo vessel was making its way towards the two boats. This made Patigdas Jr. wave a piece of shirt on his right, giving a signal to the vessel to slow down and turn its wheel to the right.

The cargo vessel was not able to turn to the right and proceeded towards the boat. This caused the vessel to hit the front portion of the Super Blue.

Asked on what speed he was driving at, the boat captain of the M/V Super Blue said he was at a pace of six to eight knots.

No boatman was hurt from the incident and no passenger was involved during the collision of the cargo vessel and the Super Blue.

Patigdas Sr. added that the Boyla 4 and Super Blue were both owned by a local dive shop located in Barangay Marigondon.

Both pump boats can carry 50 passengers.  (FREEMAN)