9 rescued as Taiwanese cargo vessel stalls off Northern Samar

Taiwanese cargo vessel V Jun Ming No. 16 Hao. Photo from CMO We Lead Battalion Facebook page

A Taiwanese cargo vessel sought shelter near Northern Samar on Monday due to bad weather, the Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday.

Nine crew members of MV Jun Ming No. 16 Hao were put into safety after the vessel stalled 5.86 nautical miles northeast off Marubay Island, Laoang, Northern Samar.

The vessel was a 68-meter Taiwanese-flagged cargo ship.

Mr. Hams Sebie, a crew member of the ship, was quoted as saying that the two compressors were taking in water which caused it to stop.

“Unfortunately, no lifeboat was available and the crew requested for immediate evacuation. The crew intended to abandon the ship as soon as the situation becomes unfavorable to them,” the Coast Guard said.

BRP Capones (MRRV 4404) was dispatched to augment in search and rescue operations. All the crew were rescued on Tuesday afternoon and were brought to the nearest coastal area of Laoang.

The vessel, which left China on Dec. 12, was bound for Chile prior the incident.

“The Marine Environment Protection Unit in Catarman, Northern Samar has put up segments of oil spill booms around the half submerged vessel that is presently listing the starboard to prevent the possible spread of oil,” the Coast Guard said. /je