PCG rescues 25 fishermen in two incidents

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued eight crew members from a fishing vessel that broke down west of Zambales on Tuesday, July 15, and more recently, rescued 17 fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc after their boat's propeller was damaged by a floating log.

F/B Grey Erron issued a distress call after its clutch disk transmission failed, leaving it stranded in the water for over two days starting Sunday, July 13, while FB Cassandra sent out a distress signal on Thursday morning due to propeller damage.

BRP Teresa Magbanua responded to both calls and reached F/B Grey Erron by 7 p.m. on July 13, finding one crew member suffering from severe leg swelling due to arthritis, and later conducted an initial health assessment of the FB Cassandra crew where one member was identified with a hypertensive condition.

Coast Guard personnel provided necessary medications and evacuated three crew members for further evaluation while engineers worked to recharge F/B Grey Erron's main engine battery; during the towing operation near Bajo de Masinloc, rough seas with wave heights up to six feet and winds moving up to 30 kph did not hinder rescue efforts.

The rescued crew expressed gratitude for the assistance in both incidents, underscoring the vital role of the PCG in maritime safety and highlighting their dedication in ensuring the security of Filipino fishermen operating in the West Philippine Sea.