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129 rescued from listing vessel off Romblon

Evelyn Macairan - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — A team from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 129 passengers and crewmembers of a roll-on roll-off vessel that ran aground in the waters off Romblon yesterday morning.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the 93 passengers and 36 crewmembers of motor vessel Maria Helena were transferred to a lifeboat at around 3 a.m.

Aside from the PCG team, personnel of other boats that were in the area helped the passengers and crewmembers transfer to the life boat.

The passengers and crewmembers were brought to the nearby Barangay Nasunugan in Banton town, where they underwent medical check-up.

Everyone was found to be in good condition, the PCG said.

The rescue team arrived at the scene of the accident located 100 meters away from the shore of the village at around 1 a.m.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, only the Helena’s captain and quartermaster remained onboard to monitor the vessel.

The Helena, owned by Montenegro Shipping, was headed to the Port of San Agustin in Tablas, Romblon from Lucena, Quezon province.

Aside from the passengers, the vessel was also carrying 16 rolling cargoes.

The PCG station in Romblon received information about the incident from a certain Christian Vergara, whose relatives and friends were on board the Helena.

Elmo Sumocol, skipper of the Helena, told the PCG that the tire of one of the rolling cargoes exploded.

The explosion destroyed the ropes that secured the cargoes.

The cargoes were detached from their positions, causing the vessel to list.

Sumocol said the sea was calm and there were no signs of cracks or holes in the ship’s hull.

The vessel has approximately 21,000 liters of fuel left.

The PCG’s marine environmental protection group is preparing to respond in case an oil spill occurs.

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

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