2 foreign vessels collide off Ilocos Sur waters, reports Coast Guard

BRP Malapascua of Philippine Coast Guard is shown on the left side of this file photo dated April 23, 2023 maneuvering as a Chinese Coast Guard ship cuts its path at Second Thomas Shoal in Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. (From AFP)

PALAWAN, Philippines — Two foreign vessels flagged under Taiwan and Bangladesh collided off the waters of Ilocos Sur, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday.

PCG said Taiwanese fishing vessel Sheng Feng No. 12 collided with a suspected Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier 77 nautical miles off Candon town at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

Taiwan Coast Guard Attaché Commander Arthur Yang informed the PCG Command Center about the collision, which prompted the immediate deployment of BRP Malapascua from PCG fleet.

PCG said the Taiwanese fishing vessel needs portable pumps to draw out seawater as it incurred damage at its bow.

Coast Guard is communicating with the owner of the Taiwanese fishing vessel to suggest its sailing to the nearest port in the northern section of Philippines.

It said the vessel’s condition must be checked, as well as the safety of its five Indonesian and two Taiwanese crew members.

Meanwhile, PCG said it is collating more information about the suspected Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier.

It learned that the ship departed from Changshu, China going to Muara Berau, Indonesia, when the collision took place.