Boat capsizes off Siargao Island; 43 passengers rescued

A total of 43 passengers, including 11 crew members of a passenger boat, were rescued off the coastal waters of San Benito town in Siargao Island after their vessel capsized due to strong leaking of water coming from the freeboard on Tuesday morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP Police Community Relations Officer P/Insp. Elsa Montenegro said that around 4:30 a.m., Oct. 25, motorbanca “Maricris” left the port of Sta. Monica en route to Surigao City. Upon reaching at the seawater of the municipality of San Benito around 5 a.m., one crew noticed a volume of water in the lower part of the boat.

“Attempts have been made to pump the water out of the boat but it failed until the boat sank on the seawater,” said Montegro.

The ill-fated motor banca, owned and operated by Maria Rose Lim, was skippered by B/Capt. Jerry Lim.

A report from Phil. Coast Guard (PCG) Surigao del Norte Station further revealed that the motorbanca was loaded with 320 sacks of copra.

The boat slowly submerged at the sea water while all passengers including the crew abandoned the boat wearing life jackets. According to the PCG report, all passengers were rescued by motorbanca Kimnet-1 and were brought to the port of Sta. Monica.

“All passengers and crew are in good health condition,” the PCG report added. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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