Four crew members were safely rescued after their motor yacht encountered engine trouble and steering casualty at vicinity 207 nautical miles West off Negra Point, Ilocos Norte yesterday, 10 August.

MY Duckling, a 55-meter yacht encountered derangement since 08 August while in transit from Hongkong to Subic Bay. Said yacht was mastered by Adam Clark (21 y.o., Filipino-Australian) and its crew were identified as Peter Clark (70 y.o., Filipino-Australian), Ryan Tadias (37 y.o.), and Rodelio Pamaybay (43 y.o.) both Filipinos.

According to report, a certain Ben Clark reported to Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) in Manila about the incident. Upon reaching Mr Adam Clark through satellite phone, he stated that the vessel was dead on water between Hong Kong and Philippine waters.

CGAC made coordination with the Rescue Coordinating Centers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) of the Philippines and Information Fusion Center in Singapore to request assistance.

Immediately, PCG deployed its multi-role response vessel, BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406) to render assistance. Coordination has also been made between TECO and Taiwan Coast Guard Administration to dispatch one cutter to render same.

Likewise, M/V Spring Wind which was one of the nearby vessels rendered assistance around 9AM the next day but towing operations was impossible due to the damage incurred in the yacht’s wing arrangement of bit.

CGAC issued a notice to mariners to all watercrafts to take precautionary measures while transiting in the area where MY Duckling was abandoned.

Subsequently, the crew were transported to Batangas Port where personnel of Coast Guard Station Batangas awaited and further brought to Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog for medical assessment prior having them turned-over to their respective families.