A MOTOR tanker carrying hundreds of thousands of liters of industrialized fuel oil sank off Tablas Island in Romblon early Tuesday morning, a port official in Batangas said.
Joselito Sinocruz, Batangas Port manager, said a passing foreign vessel was able to rescue all the 20 people on board MT Princess Empress.
“Ang tripulante nailigtas lahat, 20 katao kasama ‘yung kapitan [all the 20 crew members, including the captain, were rescued],” he said, adding the crew members will be brought to Subic within the day.
The tanker, which was on its way to Iloilo, was carrying 800,000 liters of industrialized fuel oil, Sinocruz said, citing the captain of MT Princess Empress.
The incident happened about 2 a.m. due to strong waves, Sinocruz added.
PCG responded
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deploys BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and one airbus helicopter to respond to a maritime incident involving a half-submerged motor tanker, MT PRINCESS EMPRESS, in the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, today, 28 February 2023.
MT PRINCESS EMPRESS departed from Bataan en route to Iloilo with 20 crew members (including the master) and approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil on board.
Initial investigation revealed that the distressed motor tanker encountered engine trouble due to overheating. It then drifted towards the vicinity waters off Balingawan Point due to rough sea conditions until it became half-submerged.
The PCG has deployed BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog to provide necessary assistance and assess the vicinity waters for possible traces of an oil spill.
The PCG Command Center has also directed the Coast Guard Aviation Force to dispatch one airbus helicopter for aerial surveillance.
Meanwhile, a foreign vessel, MV EPES, successfully rescued the 20 crew members in good physical condition.
