PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard in Batangas continues searching for a missing crew of a distressed motor boat at the vicinity waters of Bauan Anchorage.

Allan Agito (boatman), Gilbert Macalalad (boat helper) and Jay-R Castillo (Safety Officer from Harbor Star Shipping Services) were onboard M/Bca Jeros when it was pushed by strong currents under Barge Lynx last Wednesday, January 7. 

Initial inquiry revealed that Mbca Jeros was connected to the astern of Motor Tugboat (MT) Procyon while Barge Lynx was along the port side of said motor tug at the anchorage area of Sto Domingo, Bauan.

Another motor tug vessel, MT Mimosa went perpendicular to MT Procyon.

Less than a minute during shipside maneuvering, the backwash caused by MT Mimosa aggravated by strong currents affected Mbca Jeros. 

Skipper of MT Procyon, Dante Banostro ordered MT Mimosa to immediately reverse and clutch off but the momentum of the current and backwash pushed the motorbanca with Agito pinned under Barge Lynx. Macalalad and Castillo were able to survive and boarded MT Procyon.

Crew of both tug boats immediately searched for the said victim but only the subject motorbanca was found. The search was temporarily terminated due to strong current prevailing in the area.

Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Bauan together with Special Operations Unit (SOU) Batangas also conducted search and rescue operation to said crew but failed to recover the victim.

The victim was believed to be drifted to an unknown direction.

CGSS Bauan coordinated with other vessels anchored at the same vicinity and nearby coastal barangays to be on the look out of the missing person and immediately render necessary assistance if sighted.