Balabac, Palawan: In a daring sea rescue, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group successfully saved 17 Vietnamese crew members from the perilous waters near Balabac, Palawan. The operation was triggered by a distress signal from the Viet Hai Star, a Vietnamese general cargo ship. The vessel, originating from Ho Chi Minh City and laden with 4,000 tons of rice destined for Cagayan de Oro, encountered critical issues when water infiltrated its 16-year-old structure, flooding the forward compartments.
The situation escalated when the ship, approximately 800 yards from Balabac Port, ran aground. The crew, facing imminent danger, made the crucial decision to abandon the ship at 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Thanks to the swift action of the PCG and police units, all crew members were rescued in good condition and safely brought to Balabac Port. The Viet Hai Star, however, wasn’t as fortunate and was reported to be half-submerged by 9:21 a.m. Remarkably, initial assessments for an oil spill in the vicinity of the vessel have returned negative, averting further environmental concerns.
This incident highlights the crucial role of maritime rescue services in ensuring the safety of seafarers in distress and the importance of timely and coordinated response in maritime emergencies.