TWO international vessels — MV Hong Hai 189 and MT Petite Soeur — collided at the vicinity waters of Corregidor Island last Friday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The report said one has died, 18 rescued and another one was missing.
The incident left one missing crew member from the MV Hong Hai 189, with search and rescue operations still ongoing.
“The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responds to a collision between MV Hong Hai 189 and MT Petite Soeur at the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island yesterday, 28 April 2023,” the PCG said on Saturday.
“The Coast Guard Sub-Station Corregidor was informed that MV Hong Hai 189 already capsized. The PCG vessel, BRP Capones, was directed to proceed to the incident area.”
MV Hong Hai 189 is a dredger type vessel which bears the flag of Sierra Leone while the MT Petite Soeur is a chemical/oil product tanker bearing the flag of Marsall Island.
The Rescue vessel Heng Da 19, which was near the vinicity of the incident, came to the rescue of the 16 out of 20 crew members of MV Hong Hai 189.
The PCG on Saturday likewise responded and dispatched another vessel, and rubber boats to assist in the rescue operations.
“As of 7:30AM, the SAR team recovered one cadaver (Chinese crew),” the Coast Guard said.
“They also rescued two more crew who were immediately brought to the nearest hospital for identification and medical assistance,” it added.
Members of the Coast Guard Aviation Force are currently conducting an aerial survey to augment the search and rescue operations.
All 21 crew members of the MT Petite Soeur are said to be in good physical condition.
“The authorities will conduct a port state control inspection to MT Petite Soeur to hold and detain the vessel,” the PCG said.
metrosundaily
