SEA INCIDENT. The Coast Guard Station in Surigao del Norte rescued eight passengers and a crew of a motor banca that went half-submerged off the coast of Barangay Panumbuyon, Surigao City Sunday afternoon (Aug. 6, 2023). The watercraft, which traveled from Dinagat Islands to Surigao City accidentally hit a floating log which caused severe damage to its starboard hull, which caused it to go half-submerged. (Google map of Surigao City coast)
BUTUAN CITY – Eight passengers and a crew from a half-submerged watercraft were rescued by the personnel of the Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte (CGS-SDN) on Sunday afternoon.
In a report Monday, the CGS-SDN said it dispatched two rescue teams after receiving a distress call on an incident involving a motor banca off the coast of Barangay Panumbuyon in Surigao City.
Two teams from the CGS-SDN and Philippine Coast Guard North Eastern Mindanao (PCG-NEM) were immediately dispatched to the site on board a rubber boat and a hired motor banca.
Upon reaching the area, personnel from CGS-SDN and Philippine Coast Guard North Eastern Mindanao (PCG-NEM) discovered that the GLIBIRG motor banca was partially submerged and that passengers and crew members were already in the water.
“The rescued passengers and crew members were well taken care of and assessed for their physical condition to ensure their well-being before being allowed to return home,” the CGS-SDN said in its report.
Initial investigation showed that the motor banca was en route from Dinagat Islands to Surigao City when it accidentally hit a floating log in the waters of the coastal village.
The floating chunk damaged the watercraft’s starboard side, causing it to take in water and partially sink. (PNA)
