PCG: Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard in San Fernando, La Union have successfully rescued five fishermen who were left floating at sea when another fishing vessel slammed into their boat and punctured its hull last Friday, July 10. 

Accordingly, while on a fishing venture onboard FB Mercy Joy V at the vicinity waters of Barangay Narvacan, Sto. Tomas when they were accidentally hit by FB Mary 1 on the starboard side. 

The capsized boat left the fishermen drifting at sea. 

The incident was immediately reported by a certain Reynaldo Basbas to Coast Guard Station (CGS) San Fernando, who promptly responded and deployed its personnel onboard FB Mercy Joy.

Immediately, CGS San Fernando conducted search and rescue team, together with civilian volunteers, sighted the fishermen floating around their partially submerged boat 20 nautical miles off Brgy. Narvacan. 

The SAR team rescued the fishermen identified as Danilo Hipolito, Romeo Ejorcadas, Rogel Hiplito and Ronald Jopeza, and Jayson Abordo. 

Meanwhile, the capsized boat was towed back to shore.  

FB Mercy Joy V is owned by a certain Margarita A. Agbuya and skippered by Danilo Hipolito.