DOTC-PCG: Elements of Coast Guard vessel DF 318 with a team of Coast Guard Special Operations Unit of Central Visayas escorted to safety a distressed passenger vessel to Port of Cebu last Tuesday, January 14.

MV Weesam Express 6, a passenger vessel skippered by Capt Ernesto Badian, ran aground at the vicinity waters of Bantolinao Point, Lapu-Lapu City while enroute from Ormoc to Cebu Port around5:55 PM, Tuesday.

Immediately, Coast Guard Station (CGS) Cebu alerted and dispatched DF 318 for search and rescue operations. Likewise, MV Weesam Express 7, sister ship of the distressed vessel, was directed to proceed to the area for a towing operation.

Around 7:40 PM of same day, MV Weesam Express 7 towed the grounded vessel to Pier 3, Port of Cebu and escorted by PCG rubber boat with Special Operation Unit divers and DF 318.

The team arrived and secured at said port and disembarked all 53 passengers safely. CGS Cebu advised the Master of the vessel to file Marine Protest relative to the incident and for the shipping owner’s intent to conduct underwater hull inspection.