(PCG) responds to a maritime incident involving vessel, LCT Cebu Great Ocean that ran aground along the shoreline of Barangay Cantapoy, Malimono, Surigao del Norte at around 03:38 PM, last Monday, 19 April 2021.
According to the PCG Station Surigao del Norte, the 20 crewmembers of said vessel are allegedly missing.
Initial investigation revealed LCT Cebu Great Ocean is loaded with nickel ore and contains approximately 2,000 liters of diesel on board.
Immediately, the PCG Station Surigao del Norte activated a deployable response group (DRG) to look for the crewmembers and coordinated with the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) of the PCG District North Eastern Mindanao to conduct inspection for possible oil spill in the vicinity waters.
The PCG Station Surigao del Norte also coordinated with Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Malimono Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for appropriate actions.
At around 07:30 p.m. yesterday, the search and rescue (SAR) operation was temporarily terminated due to poor visibility and rough sea condition.
Meanwhile, the PCG Station Surigao del Norte issued ‘Notice to Mariners’ for possible sightings of the alleged missing crewmembers of LCT Cebu Great Ocean.
[Progress report to follow]
(Source: Philippine Coast Guard Facebook page)
