Crew of barge rescued 2 days after drifting off Siaton Point in Negros Oriental
by Betheena Kae UniteFour crew members of a barge that was swept away by strong current of water while anchored in Sibulan, Negros Oriental were rescued Thursday after two days of drifting in the ocean, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a belated report.
The crew members and the distressed vessel have been drifting off Siaton Point waters in Negros Oriental when they were found by rescuers at about 7 a.m. on Thursday.
Investigation showed that the barge, MB Tamban, was anchored off Sibulan when it was dragged due to strong currents in the area at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. It was only after almost two days that the crew was able to seek the help of the PCG.
According to the Coast Guard, the report came in at 2 a.m. of Thursday, prompting them to deploy the BRP Suluan, a multi-Rrle response vessel (MRRV) 4406, which was docked at Cagayan de Oro for a regular maritime patrol, to rescue the men, who have been drifting off Siaton.
“BRP Suluan was conducting its regular maritime patrol when it was alerted about the drifting of said barge since night of November 26,” the Coast Guard said in a report Friday.
The crew members were all rescued around 6:30 a.m. Thursday while MB Tamban was towed and safely anchored at Dapitan Bay at around 7 p.m. of the same day.
No one was reported hurt during the incident, the Coast Guard said.