7 Korean tugboat crew rescued in Philippines

RESCUED South Korean crew members of the Kosco 202 undergo medical check-up upon their arrival at Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales province, in northern Philippines, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. The Philippine coast guard rescued the seven South Korean crewmen from a tugboat being battered by rough seas off the northwestern Philippines. AP PHOTO/JUN DUMAGUING

MANILA, Philippines—The coast guard has rescued seven South Korean crewmen from a tugboat being battered by rough seas off the northwestern Philippines.

The skipper of the Kosco 202, Jeon Hong-Jong, said he radioed for help before dawn Thursday after a barge his boat was towing sunk and the boat’s engine room started filling with water near Zambales province.

He said his boat was being tossed in the water for several hours by 5- to 6-meter (16- to 20-foot) waves whipped up by Typhoon Gener (international name: Saola) before a coast guard vessel spotted them. They transferred by rubber boat to the ship, which brought them to Subic Bay Freeport about 20 kilometers (18 miles) away.

He said they were heading to Indonesia from Shanghai, China, to deliver the barge.