PCG: Crew of Coast Guard search and rescue vessel, BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) together with the crew of M/Tug Minkar successfully rescued yacht caught fire off Liloan in Cebu through a firefighting effort last Tuesday, November 14.

The Boat Captain of the PCG small craft, DF-330 immediately informed the personnel of Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) that a smoke was observed from the yacht, M/Y Atlas, which was approximately 500 meters away from the port of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in Liloan. CGDCV directed Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Mandaue to verify the veracity of the report and dispatched SARV-3502.

As per inquiry, the fire started at the ships chiller of the crew accommodation where they noticed a heavy smoke. The crew immediately conducted inspection and firefighting but failed to combat and determine the source of fire which prompted them to abandon ship.

At 2:30 AM on November 15, the SAR team was able to put out the fire onboard the yacht.

Meanwhile, the personnel of PCG Special Operations Unit in Central Visayas (SOU-CV) conducted onsite diving operations and laying down of markers to warn all ships and watercraft transiting in the area. 

Likewise, personnel of Coast Guard Station Cebu together with Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) Cebu and SOU-CV conducted ocular inspection for possible traces of oil spill from the vessel wreckage but yielded negative result. 

CGSS Mandaue advised the Master to file a Marine Protest in relative to the incident.

M/Y Atlas is owned and operated by Bromley Michael Roger with six crew onboard arrived at Tayud Anchorage Area two weeks ago from Moalboal, Cebu and will be dry docked at Santiago Shipyard and Shipbuilding Corporation.