By Bohol Island News Staff | 02:33 PM January 06, 2020
A boat carrying 271 passengers bound for Tagbilaran were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after it ran aground, buffeted by strong winds and big waves on Monday morning.
The boat ran aground after 30 minutes it left the port of Plaridel in Misamis Occident at 4 a.m. Monday, prompting the crew to send distress calls to the Philippine Coast Guard and other rescuers from Plaridel.
SN1 Joebert Pervera of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)- Plaridel said OceanJet didn’t encounter any engine trouble; it ran aground because it was drifted to shallow part of the sea.
“Nasalubong niya ang malakas na hangin at alon at napadpad ito sa mababaw na bahagi,” Pervera said.
He said 271 passengers and 17 crew were rescued.No injury or casualty was reported, he added.
READ: OceanJet vessel bound for Tagbilaran runs aground
Passenger Analyn Lingatong Abajar posted videos while the passengers were instructed to wear life jackets.
Another video she posted showed that passengers were fetched by a pumpboat and ferried safely to the mainland.
Oceanjet cancelled its 8 a.m. trip from Tagbilaran to Plaridel and its 12 noon trip from Plaridel to Tagbilaran.In their post, they cited big waves as the reason of the cancellation.
According to Pervera, the Coast Guard personnel and the ship’s crew are waiting for high tide to pull the vessel.
