Cargo vessel runs aground off Northern Samar
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one crewmembers of a cargo vessel were rescued after their ship ran aground in the waters off Northern Samar yesterday morning.
The Poseidon 34 reportedly encountered strong winds and heavy rains as it was sailing near Barangay San Luis on Capul Island, according to Capt. Armand Balilo, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The crewmembers were brought to Barangay San Luis and provided with medical assistance. They were all in stable condition.
Balilo said the PCG coordinated with the Philippine National Police and the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council after it received a distress call from the vessel.
The captain of the vessel initially called their sister ship Poseidon 40 in Legaspi City, Albay as they were nearing Tagbilaran City in Bohol.
Authorities tried to rescue the crewmembers before noon, but the captain allegedly refused as they were waiting for their sister.
“The Poseidon 40 reached Capul Island at around 1 p.m. It tried, but failed to tow the Poseidon 34 as big waves and strong winds were hampering it,” Balilo said.
The shipmaster decided to accept the help offered by the PCG and the local authorities after Poseidon 40 failed to tow the distressed vessel. – With Miriam Desacada
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