PCG. Personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Bataan apprehended three motor bancas which were caught engaging in illegal salvage operation at vicinity waters off Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan on May 12.

The PCG maritime patrol team sighted the motor bancas while conducting a routine patrol in the area towing floated drums heading towards to the shoreline of Sitio Bayview, Barangay Batangas II, Mariveles, Bataan. While on approach, a motor banca immediately fled from the area heading to the shore of the said barangay.

Immediately, the team coordinated to Coast Guard Sub-Station Lamao personnel for the interception and apprehension of the said motor banca.

Initial investigation revealed that the apprehended motor bancas were not accredited salvors by the PCG and has no salvage permit to operate.

CGS Bataan deployed patrol craft (DF-302) to rendezvous to its seaborne patrol team and to tow the apprehended motor bancas and the suspected submerged scrap metal to the Port of Lamao.

CGS Bataan recovered the scrap metal with a dimension of 28 inches in diameter, 17 feet in length and has a weight of more or less four tons.

The PCG issued an Enforcement Inspection Apprehension Report (EIAR) for violating of the PCG’s Memorandum Circular No. 06-96 pertaining to salvage regulations to the operators of the said motor bancas.