Coast Guard rescues 25 passengers, crew in RORO sinking off Masbate
2013-Jun-14 11:36
2025-Jan-03 00:55
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday announced that the fatality in the sinking of a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel off Burias Island, Masbate has been identified even as the number of rescued survivors has climbed to 25.
Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, PN spokesman, identified the fatality as Carlota Sena, from Balino, Masbate.
Reports reaching the Navy headquarters in Manila showed the RORO vessel left the port of Pio Duran in Albay about 2 a.m. for Aroroy, Masbate.
The stricken ship, the M/V Mt. Carmel, was commanded by Capt. Lando Mateo.
At the time of the sinking, the vessel was carrying 21 crewmen and 25 passengers, two buses and one six-wheel truck.
The ship sank around 5 a.m. at the vicinity of Agoha Point in Burias Island.
Initially, the stricken ship was reported carrying 22 crewmen and 40 passengers.
Fabic said the Naval Forces Southern Luzon based in Legaspi, Albay has dispatched one patrol craft (DF-321) with one team of SEAL divers and an Islander aircraft from Cebu to assist in the search and rescue operations.
He added, some of those rescued are now on board MV Rosary, sister ship of M/V Mt Carmel, owned and operated by Medallion Shipping. (PNA)