Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte headed by the Station Commander CDR ELAINE R PANGILINAN PCG swiftly responded to a maritime incident involving FBCA NOBERT-2 which unfortunately drifted and eventually ran aground towards the shallow waters off Brgy. Cagutsan, Surigao City due to strong current last Saturday, 01 May 2021.
Upon receipt of the information from a certain Engr. Ambrosio C. Lambus Jr – President of Fish Buyers/Brokers Association Inc., Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte immediately activated and deployed Deployable Response Group (DRG) composed of CGS Surigao del Norte and Coast Guard Special Operations Unit Northeastern Mindanao (CGSOU-NEM) onboard PB-151 to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations and render necessary assistance.
Likewise, Coast Guard Mobile Team Day-asan was also directed to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations onboard AB-254.
Upon arrival to the reported location, SAR Team instantly sighted the distressed Fishing Banca which ran aground in the shallow waters off Brgy. Cagutsan, Surigao City.
Thereafter, SAR Team immediately took appropriate assistance and subsequently transferred 17 individuals and 19 crew members of FBCA NOBERT-2 to PB-151 using PCG Rubber Boat.
The rescued individuals were assessed by Coast Guard Medical Service Northeastern Mindanao (CGMED-NEM) for any injuries incurred during the incident upon arrival to Surigao City.
Fortunately, all of them were in good physical and mental health condition which was formally turned over to the informant who is the buyer of FBCA NOBERT-2 fish products.
Meanwhile, the Master of the vessel was invited to Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte for initial inquiries on how the incident transpired. Furthermore, the Master was likewise advised to file a Marine Protest relative to the incident.
(Source: CoastGuard Surigao del Norte Facebook account)