PCG: The captain and crane operator of a sunken cargo vessel remains missing while the rest of his crew were successfully rescued yesterday by a passing fishing boat 20 nautical miles north west of Naso Point, Anini-y, Antique.  

MV Vital was reportedly underway from Carmen, Cebu to Cuyo, Palawan to transport its cargo of cement, when rough seas battered the ship causing it to tilt to port side and sink around 11:15PM.

Four hours later, 11 of its crew were rescued by a passing fishing boat while on its way to Pedra, Cuyo, Palawan.

The incident was reported to the personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) San Jose de Buenavista by the Antique Provincial Police Office.

The personnel of said station immediately conducted a search and rescue operations for the missing seafarers and rendered necessary assistance to the 11 others. 

The survivors were brought to Barangay Bayo Grande in Antique and remained in custody of CGS San Jose de Buenavista.

C/M Eddie Lucena was advised to file a marine protest while the water crafts transiting the area were told to be vigilant for the missing seafarers identified as Capt. Celso L. Rafols, 64 years old, and Crane Operator Esmael Cabonce,48 years old.

The survivors are as follows: