172 passengers of distressed vessel rescued back to Bacolod port

BACOLOD CITY – A fast craft bound for Iloilo City, carrying 172 passengers, was rescued back to Bredco Port here after its crew sent a distress call to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Tuesday afternoon.

M/V Weesam Express 6, which departed this city around 11:30 a.m., encountered engine trouble about 30 minutes into the sea.

The PCG report said all passengers and crew are accounted for.

Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, chief of PCG-Northern Negros Occidental, said in an interview that personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS)-Bredco Port and Maritime Safety Services Command are conducting a detailed inspection of the vessel to determine the cause of the distress.

"They are looking at the cause of the mechanical trouble and other relevant details to finalize our report," he added.

Mercurio said that after the CGS-Bredco Port received the distress call at 1:15 p.m., they contacted a tug boat operator, which dispatched two boats to rescue and tow M/V Weesam Express 6, which arrived in Bacolod around 3:30 p.m.

He added that the Coast Guard District Western Visayas also deployed a vessel, the BRP Kalanggaman, to escort the towing operation to ensure the safety and security of the passengers. (PNA)