A Filipino inventor has developed what he claims to be an unsinkable rescue boat that is the only one of its kind in the world.
Ronald Pagsanghan said he thought of developing an unsinkable boat after he witnessed the devastation wrought by Typhoon “Ketsana” or “Ondoy” in Luzon, including Metro Manila, in 2009.
The typhoon killed 789 people and caused billions of pesos worth of damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector. And the rescue operations were delayed by the flood waters that flowed in many areas.
“Rubber boats could not maneuver at the height of the floods,” Pagsanghan said.
“That horrible experience gave me the idea of developing an unsinkable boat designed for rescue operations in flooded areas.”
It was in 2011 that he came up with a prototype of his unsinkable portable boat that he tested successfully.
“My portable unsinkable boat is primarily designed for flooded areas in urban areas and rivers,” Pagsanghan said, adding it was the only one of its kind in the world.
He said in 2012 he received the 2012 award for his invention from the Rotary Club of Manila and the Manila Polo Club.
Since then, local government units from Isabela, Bulacan, and Quezon had ordered boats from him. His rescue boat was one of the main attractions during the recent Filipino Inventory Week held at the SM Dome in North EDSA, Quezon City.
Pagsanghan said he hoped that the government would fully extend help to promote not only his invention but also other notable inventions by Filipino inventors.