The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 210 passengers and 15 crew members from a distressed passenger vessel off Basilan early Monday, as search and rescue operations continue for the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
The PCG said the incident occurred at around 4:47 a.m. on February 2 near Pangasahan Island, Basilan, while Coast Guard personnel were conducting search and rescue operations in nearby waters off Baluk-Baluk Island.
According to the PCG, its search and rescue team aboard BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) responded to a report of a vessel in distress and confirmed that ML AS Express 2, which was traveling from Banguingui, Sulu to Zamboanga City, encountered a steering or rudder malfunction.
Coast Guard personnel maneuvered the vessel away from shallow waters and brought it to a safer offshore location to prevent further danger to those on board.
The PCG said 128 passengers were transferred off the vessel, while 82 passengers remained on board along with the 15 crew members.
As of press time, BRP Tubbataha was towing the distressed vessel to Zamboanga City for the safe disembarkation of all passengers and crew.
