The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to a maritime incident involving cargo vessels, MV Seaborne Cargo 5 that ran aground and MV Seaborne Cargo 6 that encountered engine trouble at the vicinity waters 200 meters away from the shoreline of Barangay Masaguitsit, Lobo, Batangas yesterday, 16 September 2021.

The PCG deployed a response team to provide necessary assistance to the distressed vessels.

Based on the investigation, MV Seaborne Cargo 6 departed from Manila bound for Iloilo carrying 140 containers of assorted goods.

While underway, the said vessel encountered engine trouble while transiting at the vicinity waters off Verde Island, Batangas. The captain of MV Seaborne Cargo 6 immediately informed their management about the incident and sought assistance.

Its sister vessel, MV Seaborne Cargo 5 was underway from Bohol bound for Manila when it was directed to proceed to Verde Island, Batangas to provide towing support. The said cargo vessel contained 1,620 heads of hogs and 113 heads of cattle.

Upon arrival at the vicinity waters, MV Seaborne Cargo 5 towed MV Seaborne Cargo 6 to the anchorage area at the vicinity waters off Lobo, Batangas for needed repairs.

While departing to proceed to its port of destination, MV Seaborne Cargo 5 ran aground in shallow water and a sandy portion of the said vicinity waters.

Hence, the PCG dispatched a team from its marine environmental protection unit to conduct a hull inspection and ensure no further marine environmental damages will occur. The oil spill assessment performed by PCG divers yielded a negative result.

Moreover, the captains confirmed that the 22 crew members of MV Seaborne Cargo 5 and 23 crew members of MV Seaborne Cargo 6 were all in good physical condition.

The PCG advised the captains and shipowner of MV Seaborne Cargo 5 and MV Seaborne Cargo 6 to regularly check their engines and ensure strict compliance with safety standards to avoid future maritime incidents.

They are also instructed to file a marine protest to the PCG Station Batangas and look for an accredited salvor to conduct salvage operations to the distressed cargo vessels.