The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a maritime incident involving a RoRo / passenger ship, MV LITE FERRY 3 that submerged after having trouble while conducting a docking maneuver at Ormoc Port, Ormoc City, Leyte at around 11:50 p.m. yesterday, 24 September 2021.

Upon arrival at the incident area, the PCG sighted that the said vessel was already listed on its starboard side (right).

At around 12:05 a.m. today, 25 September 2021, the PCG launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation to rescue the 16 crew members who were on board the distressed vessel when the maritime incident occurred.

A total of 15 crew members were rescued, while the purser of the said vessel, identified as 33-year-old Raquel Alo was reportedly trapped inside the vessel.

At around 12:30 a.m., the PCG conducted an underwater search to retrieve the body of Alo but yielded a negative result.

The SAR team continued its operations at the vessel cargo hold and after two hours and 30 minutes, Alo’s body was found under several cargoes carried by the distressed vessel.

The PCG carefully retrieved and turned over the said body to the Ormoc City Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, the 15 survivors were turned over to the Ormoc City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for medical assistance.

The PCG advised the captain of the said vessel to file a marine protest.

At around 05:00 a.m. today, the cadaver was transported to a funeral service provider in Ormoc City for proper disposition.