Coast Guard Station Basilan through Coast Guard Sub-Station Hadji Muhtamad responded to M/V Trisha Kerstin 2 in distress at sea at vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan today, 15 July 2023.

Said passenger RORO vessel with 342 passengers departed Zamboanga City going  to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi when it encountered engine trouble (broken main engine cooling pipe) while underway at vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan around 2:00 am this morning.

Immediately, Coast Guard Sub-Station Hadji Muhtamad deployed a Search and Rescue team together with LGU Hadji Muhtamad personnel. The SAR team were able to locate the distressed vessel dead on the water in the reported area with all of its passengers safe and sound.

The said search and rescue team immediately boarded the vessel to render assistance as well as provide security while the crews conduct repair on the broken engine of the vessel.

**UPDATE**

On or about July 16, 2023 at 12:00am, MV Trisha Kerstin 2's engine problem was finally fixed. The vessel immediately departed the vicinity waters of Baluk-Baluk Island and continued its voyage to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

M/V Trisha Kerstin 2 is estimated to arrive in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on June 16, 2023 at 7:00pm.