By Arabella Asis
Two foreign-flagged vessels collided in the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island on Friday, April 28, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
Based on the report, the Sierra Leone-flagged MV Hong Hai 189, a dredger, had already capsized when it collided with the Marshall Island-flagged MT Petite Soeur, a chemical/oil product tanker.
PCG on Saturday, April 29, said rescue vessel Heng Da 19, which was near the vicinity of the incident, rescued 16 of the 20 crew members of MV Hong Hai 189.
Another vessel, along with aluminum boats and rubber boats, was dispatched to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing crew members.
As of 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the SAR team recovered the cadaver of a Chinese crew, while SAR operations for the last three missing crew of MV Hong Hai 189 continues.
Meanwhile, all 21 crew of MT Petite Soeur were in good physical condition.
“The Coast Guard Aviation Force is currently conducting an aerial survey to augment the SAR operations,” PCG noted.
“The authorities will conduct a port state control inspection to MT Petite Soeur to hold and detain the vessel,” it added. – cf
