The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded swiftly to a distress call from a fishing vessel stranded off the coast of Zambales, successfully rescuing eight crew members, including one needing urgent medical care.
In a statement on Tuesday, PCG Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said fishing boat F/B Grey Erron suffered engine failure around 70 nautical miles west of Botolan, Zambales, leaving it adrift at sea.
Aboard the vessel, one crew member was reportedly suffering from severe leg swelling caused by arthritis.
The PCG’s multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) received the alert at 12:10 PM on July 13 and immediately sailed toward the vessel’s last reported location, approximately 89 nautical miles away.
By 7:00 P.M., the PCG had reached the distressed vessel, Tarriela said.
At dawn the next day, a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) was launched to deliver drinking water and provide medical support. PCG medical personnel administered first aid and medication to the injured crew member, who, along with two others, was evacuated for further treatment.
Engineers aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua also assessed the fishing boat’s condition, discovering a clutch disk transmission failure that rendered the main engine unusable.
Despite technical challenges, the crew attempted to recharge the vessel’s battery, hoping to restore minimal functionality.
By July 15, a service boat arrived to return the three evacuated crew members to their vessel.
Tarriella said the remaining crew, along with the patient, expressed their deep appreciation for the PCG’s timely and life-saving intervention.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains unwavering in its mission to safeguard lives and secure property across the seas. This incident serves as a striking testament to the steadfast dedication of PCG leadership in ensuring the safety and security of Filipino fishermen operating in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
