The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Roxas and Bantay Dagat Roxas rescued seven passengers of distressed motor launch, ML MRRL at the vicinity waters off Zabala Reef in Barangay Caramay, Palawan yesterday, 08 September 2021.

Upon receiving a distress call from ML MRRL’s skipper, Mr. Ricky Conge the joint search and rescue (SAR) team departed from Roxas Feeder Port en route to Zabala Reef where the distressed motor launch was anchored.

The rescued passengers were ferried back to Roxas Feeder Port, while the motor launch was towed using a motorized boat.

According to Mr. Conge, the vessel’s propeller was accidentally disrupted while they were transiting along the vicinity waters off Tulariquin Reef and Zabala Reef en route to Barangay Sta. Teresita, Dumaran, Palawan.

It only had one propeller, thus, they were restricted in their ability to maneuver. He decided to follow the current until they reached a shallow portion of the island and anchored thereat for safety until the SAR team arrived.

The PCG Station Roxas advised the captain to file a marine protest and to repair the derangement of the motor launch before resuming its normal operation.