PCG: 15 seafarers of a domestic cargo ship were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday, September 14, when said vessel submerged outside the breakwater of Manila Bay. 

The MV Super Shuttle RoRo 7 half-submerged around 7:00pm and all of its crew prepared to abandon ship. 

The incident was immediately reported by the brother of engine cadet Mark Anthony Gonzales, who is assigned at Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) to Coast Guard Station Manila.

The Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Manila promptly alerted all vessels within the area to provide assistance and advised to coordinate the availability of a tugboat for the conduct of search and rescue (SAR) operation.

Around 10:15 PM, the SAR Team of Coast Guard District National Capital Region-Central Luzon (CGDNCR-CL), CGS Manila and Special Operations Group (SOG) rescued seven crew members onboard a life raft at the vicinity of US Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, Manila. 

The other seven crew members were able to swim safely towards Quirino Grandstand while holding on to floating debris and reported to Police Station 5 located at Luneta Park. Meanwhile M/Tug Energy Star, rescued another crew outside the breakwater.

The crew were identified as follows:

Villacastin, Napoles and Duaban who have no injuries were allowed to return home. However, the remaining 12 survivors were immediately brought to Coast Guard Medical Service (CGMed Svc) at Headquarters, Philippine Coast Guard for physical examination and medical treatment of minor injuries mostly skin lacerations and abrasions.

The survivors were then turned-over to the representatives of Asian Marine Transport Incorporated while Bolo, who incurred right foot injury and was ailing due to exhaustion for excessive swimming was left at CGMed Svc for further observation by attending physician.