𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to a distressed vessel, MV Fastcat M17, which encountered engine trouble in the vicinity waters off Surigao Anchorage Area, on 15 February 2024.

Upon receipt of the report from one of the passengers at around 9:54PM, the PCG immediately launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation.

Based on the initial investigation, Captain Joni Capacite shared that at around 3:40PM, MV Fastcat M17 departed from Liloan Port en route to Surigao Baseport carrying 85 passengers and 44 crew members on board.

At around 7PM, MV Fastcat M17 was already at Surigao Anchorage Area, intending to dock at Surigao Baseport.

However, while dropping anchor during the docking maneuver, the anchor winch suddenly malfunctioned.

He directed his crew members to assess and conduct necessary interventions. The vessel crew also provided food and drinks to the passengers while fixing the malfunctioned machinery.

Moreover, Captain Capacite ordered the retrieval of the anchor through their chain block and assessed the wirings on the malfunctioned machinery.

The PCG SAR team coordinated with the crew to safely transfer 22 passengers to the PCG patrol boat. The PCG patrol boat ferried the first batch of rescued passengers to the Surigao Baseport.

Other passengers with rolling cargoes decided to stay on board MV Fastcat M17 while waiting for it to dock securely at Surigao Baseport.

At around 3AM on 16 February 2024, the remaining 63 passengers on board MV Fastcat M17 were safely unloaded from the vessel at Surigao Baseport.

The PCG advised Captain Capacite to file a marine protest relative to the incident.

According to the Coast Guard Station Surigao de Norte, MV Fastcat M17 is a passenger-cargo vessel with 723 GT and 229 NT, owned and operated by Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation.

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