The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Basilan has responded to a FIRE ONBOARD incident involving Motor Launch (ML) J Dayang 3 with 15 crew members onboard at the vicinity waters off Lampinigan Island, Isabela City, Basilan at around 02:30 a.m. today, 07 December 2021.

The ill-fated motor launch departed from Cawit, Zamboanga City going to Bongao, Tawi-tawi loaded with hardware materials and groceries. While underway, short circuit occurred that eventually caused fire onboard.

Together with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Isabela City, the PCG launched firefighting and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

The 15 crew members were carefully rescued and were declared in good physical condition upon arrival at the shoreline of Lampinigan Island where they were provided with further assistance.

When the BFP Basilan City declared fire out at around 05:30 a.m., the Marine Environmental Protection Group – Basilan and PCG Station Basilan inspected the vicinity waters for possible trace of oil spill and yielded negative result.

The BFP Basilan City estimated damage to property at Php 13.5 million.