4 Norwegians rescued by PCG

Four Norwegian nationals wait to be brought to land after they were rescued from their sailboat SY NORA Simrad, which was drifting, by Philippine Coast Guard personnel on Sunday, May 18, 2025. — Photo from Coast Guard Bicol/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Four Norwegian nationals on board a drifting sailboat in the waters off Cabugao Bay, Virac, Catanduanes, were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday.

The Coast Guard Station Catanduanes, under the Coast Guard District Bicol (CGDBCL), received a distress call from the sailboat SY NORA Simrad.

The sailboat SY NORA Simrad is towed to the Port of Catanduanes by a Philippine Coast Guard vessel on Sunday, May 18, 2025. — Photo from Coast Guard Bicol/Facebook

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It then initiated coordination efforts and attempted to establish radio communication to locate the vessel but did not receive a response.

“CGDBCL then coordinated with Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force to conduct aerial surveillance, due to the vessel’s intermittent communication and limited visibility in the area,” the CGDBCL said in a Facebook post.

“After confirming the sailboat’s position through direct communication with the vessel’s contact and aerial surveillance findings, a towing operation was launched. The tugboat M/T Iriga was dispatched from Legazpi Port, carrying a Deployable Response Team,” it also said.

The team was composed of personnel from the Special Operations Unit Bicol, Maritime Safety Services Unit Bicol, CG Medical Station Bicol, CG Nursing Service Sub-unit Bicol, and Civil Relations Group Bicol.

The vessel was safely towed to the port of Catanduanes, and the Norwegian nationals were reported to be in good health upon medical assessment. /das