Bad weather hampers search for sunken ship, crewmen

MANILA, Philippines – Bad weather hampered the search and rescue operation for the 11 crewmembers of the M/V Fortune Life that sank off Vigan City in  Ilocos Sur on Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

PCG Northwestern Luzon chief Capt. Leovigildo Panopio said waves as high as five meters prevented their vessels from searching for the crewmembers.

Two PCG vessels, the BRP Pampanga and the monitoring control, search and rescue (MCS) 3007, were working in the search with Chinese ships Nan Hai Jiu 111 and Nan Hai Jiu 115, while a Hong Kong aircraft is conducting an aerial search.

Panopio said they widened the search area since the currents could have carried the crewmembers away from Fortune Life.

“Aside from the water search, we have sent personnel to the shores as far as Aparri to inquire if the crewmembers have been washed ashore,” said Panopio.

The M/V Fortune Life had 19 crewmen on board when it sank. Six of them were rescued by vessels Great Tang, Yue Dian and Ashley Lady.

Before the vessel sank, it was able to activate its electronic positioning emergency radio beacon, which sent out distress signals and was picked up by the Hong Kong maritime rescue coordination center.