The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully executed a rescue operation for the distressed fishing vessel FB CASSANDRA, located approximately 59 nautical miles northeast of Bajo De Masinloc on July 17, 2025.

The said operation is aligned with President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr.'s directive for the PCG to ensure safety of lives at sea.

The mission was conducted by the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) following a report of the vessel's distress due to a damaged propeller caused by an encounter with a floating log.

The rescue operation is especially urgent because FB CASSANDRA became stranded within the expected drop zone for China's rocket launch test, scheduled between July 15 and 17. Aware of the potential threat, the PCG quickly took action to tow the vessel to safety.

At approximately 10:17AM on July 17, BRP Teresa Magbanua received the distress signal and swiftly initiated a towing operation. The vessel, with 16 crew members onboard, was reported to be in good physical condition.

Throughout the operation, BRP Teresa Magbanua navigated in challenging weather conditions, including rough seas and significant wave heights of 5-6 feet, with wind speeds reaching up to 30 km/h. Despite these challenges, the crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua maintained an average speed of 9.4 knots while towing FB CASSANDRA back to Mariveles, Bataan.

By 8:00 AM today, BRP Teresa Magbanua reached the vicinity waters near Mariveles, where the towing line was transferred to the tugboat T/B Lucida for the final leg of the journey. During the operation, a medical team onboard BRP Teresa Magbanua conducted an initial health assessment of the crew, identifying one member with a hypertensive condition, who received immediate medical attention.

The Philippine Coast Guard is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all Filipino fishermen navigating the West Philippine Sea.

This successful operation underscores the dedication and efficiency of our personnel in addressing emergencies at sea.