Sunken tanker Jason Bradley refloated

MANILA, Philippines —  After two months of being stuck under water, the motor tanker Jason Bradley was finally refloated on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The PCG said salvors had to continuously pump out sea water and patched the hull to lighten the vessel, which had turned brown and rusty due to prolonged stay under water.

Salvor firm FES Challenger refloated the Jason Bradley at around 5 p.m.

Members of the Bureau of Customs and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation joined the refloating operation and conducted oil sampling.

The PCG said the tanker would be towed to the Diving Industry Shipyard in Mariveles, Bataan.

PCG-Bataan station chief Lt. Cdr. Michael John Encina said the ship would remain in the shipyard pending the filing of administrative complaints against concerned people.

The Jason Bradley was one of two tankers that capsized in the waters off Limay at the height of Typhoon Carina in July. The other was Terra Nova.

The Jason Bradley was carrying 5,500 liters of diesel when it sunk on July 26.