Four seafarers remain missing after MV Devon Bay capsized.
The search operations for the four seafarers still missing from the capsized Singaporean-flagged general cargo vessel MV Devon Bay continue.
Singapore-flagged general cargo vessel MV Devon Bay had capsized off Ango Bay in Pangasinan. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was prompted for an immediate search and rescue (SAR) operation with the help of the China Coast Guard (CCG) ships on Friday, January 23.
According to the PCG, the ship carrying iron ore departed Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur, en route to Yangjiang, China. It suddenly tilted at approximately 25 degrees upon reaching 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Ango Bay.
The ship is carrying 21 crew, all Filipinos. Of 21 seafarers, 17 were already rescued while four are still missing. These four missing seafarers are subject to SAR operations.
PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab said that they are still verifying reports that two crew members have died. She said, “Ongoing po ang isinasagawa nating rescue operation… the passing Chinese Coast Guard was able to rescue 17 crew members, so may apat na missing crew members pa po ng M/V Devon Bay. The Philippine Coast Guard appreciates all parties involved, especially yung passing Chinese Coast Guard vessel who exerted effort to render assistance sa ating mga kababayan.”
Cayabyab said that the PCG received a distress call from the vessel’s agent around 8:30 PM on January 22. Upon receiving, they dispatched their vessel, but the waves and current were strong at that time.
BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), and two aircraft for the SAR operations were deployed.
In a separate report, the CCG said it received a distress call at 1:34 on January 23 from the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Sansha City in Hainan Province about the incident. Accordingly, there was a ship that capsized about 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Dao, the name it calls Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).
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