PCG, LGU Pilar rescued 62 passengers of MB Sirakan

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Jan 8 (PIA) – Sixty two (62) passengers onboard MB Sirakan 2 were successfully rescued yesterday by Coast Guard Pilar and LGU-Pilar Search and Rescue Team after it has encountered an engine trouble an hour after it departed Pilar Port bound for Aroroy Port in Aroroy, Masbate.

Report from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Sorsogon said that on Jan 7, 2013 at 7:30 AM, CG Detachment Pilar received a cellphone call from a certain Nelly Serrano that MB Sirakan 2 was dead on sea at the vicinity waters off approximately five nautical miles from Brgy. San Antonio (Sapa), Pilar, Sorsogon, and need an immediate assistance.

Without delay, CG Pilar coordinated with Pilar-LGU and thereafter, PCG Asst Petty Officer PO3 Arvin Flor, in-charge of CG Detachment Pilar and CG K9 personnel SN1 Elwin Bongalos together with two LGU-Pilar personnel went onboard LGU-Pilar speedboat to rescue passengers.

Following an hour rescue, all passengers in good physical conditions were successfully transferred to MB Sirakan 3 and returned home safely, while MB Sirakan 2 was successfully towed to Aroroy, Masbate.

Boat Captain Carlito Dino said they left Pilar port at 5:30 in the morning and has experienced engine trouble and ultimately engine stopped at about 7:00 in the morning.

Passengers were provided by the rescuers with food and water to temporarily relieve their thirst and hunger having been stranded at sea for more than three hours.

MB Sirakan 2, a 21.33 GT/14.50NT vessel has a 130 pax capacity. Said banca is owned and operated by Elpidio V. Valencia with business address at Brgy. Cabda, Tugbu, Masbate City and skippered by boat captain Dino.

This is the second maritime incident of its kind that Coast Guard Detachment Pilar has recorded this year.  (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)