MANILA, Philippines — The ill-fated fishing boat involved in a fatal collision with a commercial ship in West Philippine Sea is now being towed towards Subic, Zambales, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said on Thursday.
Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme, PCG Commander of Maritime Safety Services Command, said the salvor ship from private firm Harbor Star successfully “refloated” capsized FFB Dearyn on Wednesday afternoon.
FFB stands for Filipino fishing boat.
“They (Harbor Star) are already on the site,” Coyme reported during the hearing of Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
“They conducted refloating of the capsized vessel and they were successful in refloating it, and, guarantee with the help of coast guard vessel,” he noted.
“They are now towing FB Dearyn towards Subic, Zambales,” he told the senators.
The PCG shares a photo of the ill-fated FFB Dearyn, the fishing boat which collided with a commercial ship in the West Philippine Sea. | PHOTO: PCG
“We made a discussion with Harbor Star, it is a salvor company, to help the Coast Guard to salvage the vessel because we believe that this is very vital in our ongoing investigation,” he said.
On October 2, three crew members of FFB Dearyn were killed, while one sustained minor injuries following the collision of their boat with Pacific Anna.
Pacific Anna is a crude oil tanker registered under the Marshall Islands.