Chinese fishing vessel runs aground off Ilocos Norte town

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte – At least five crew members of a Chinese fishing boat were rescued by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and the police after their vessel ran aground some 150 meters from this town’s seaport in Barangay Kadilian on Monday morning.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Noel Palencia of the Philippine Coast Guard based here said one of the five Chinese crew members suffered cuts and was brought to the town’s health center.

Palencia did not identify the crew members.

He said the vessel was on its way to Vietnam on Friday night when it encountered rough seas while cruising along Ilocos Norte’s waters. He said the vessel remained there until it was battered by strong waves on Monday morning.

The vessel remains in shallow waters at the Currimao Bay and needs to be pulled out of its position, Palencia said.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 had been raised over Ilocos Norte as Typhoon “Egay” crossed the provinces in northern Luzon.