PCG: Three Filipino and three foreign nationals were successfully rescued by the Coast Guard after their speed boat encountered engine trouble at the vicinity waters of Barangay Bitaogon, Surigao City yesterday, March 04.

The passengers composed of Filipino, Canadian and Swedish nationalities were onboard speedboat Sea Hunt when it encountered engine trouble at the said vicinity last March 03. On the same day, a certain Johan Maloto, third officer of an undetermined vessel, informed Coast Guard Station (CGS) Surigao that Sea Hunt, owned and skippered by a certain Michael Briman was in distress at said vicinity.

Upon verification of the report, CGS Surigao deployed the personnel of Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Socorro onboard M/L Mollameda, skippered by Rico Alabat, for the conduct of search and rescue operations.

Due to unfavorable weather condition, however, the SAR team temporarily suspended the operations with negative result. The following day, motor pumpboat Jaymart, skippered by Capt. Randy Tomines, was able to assist the distressed speed boat and towed it back to Surigao City Boulevard.

According to Snooky Eder, a friend of one of the passengers, Sea Hunt departed Siargo Island for Surigao City around 9:20PM last March 03 but was unable to reach its destination due to engine trouble.

Further inquiry revealed that one of the stranded passengers was reportedly injured due to a motorcycle accident before they left Siargao Island.

CGS Surigao then immediately responded and called up the city ambulance to rush the victim, Max Theodor Linstrom to Miranda Hospital for medical treatment. The rest of the passengers are in good physical condition.

The passengers were identified as follows.

NAME, AGE, GENDER, NATIONALITY
1. Michael Briman, 45 years old, Male, Canadian
2. Hgo Lindstrom, 28 years old, Male, Swedish
3. Max Theodor Linstrom, 24 years old, Male, Swedish
4. Mariel Rose Perez, 23 years old, Female, Filipino
5. Abigail Golocino, 20 years old, Female, Filipino
6. Cris Arne Tampus, 37 years old, Male, Filipino