PCG: A 125-meter long barge owned by San Miguel Corporation drifted and ran aground near the shoreline at vicinity waters of Vigan, Ilocos Sur at the height of Typhoon Egay on Monday, July 6.

PO3 Rommel Yden PCG, duty operations staff of the Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN) reported to Coast Guard Station (CGS) Salomague that the “Floating Dock Daigo” reportedly ran aground approximately 50 yards from the shoreline of Sta. Catalina.

Surging waves and rough weather brought on by Typhoon Egay, however, kept the personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Nirvacan from establishing contact with the vessel.

The following day, the Floating Dock Daigo drifted and ran aground at the shallow area of the shoreline when owners of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Shipping Lines decided to tow the vessel.

According to the ship owner representative, MTug Trabajador 1 from Hiroshima, Japan attempted to tow the agrounded barge to Mariveles, Bataan but was battered by big waves and strong winds until the towing line ripped off.

Personnel of CGSS Narvacan conducted an ocular inspection in the area and observed that the barge moved from its original position and is currently beached 70 yards south west of Sta. Catalina.

About 11:00 am yesterday, Roger Padyosan, operations manager of Malayan Salvor Tug conducted monitoring and ocular inspection on the grounded vessel. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard team coordinated with the ship captain to submit a marine protest regarding the incident.