Tugboat skipper killed; 6 men rescued off Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Malaysian captain of a tugboat was killed and six of his crew were rescued after the vessel’s tow cable snapped while they were off Pangutaran Island in Sulu, the Navy said yesterday.

The cable snapped and struck and killed the unidentified captain of the tugboat Vestgut five days ago, Navy Lt. Nancy Pastor said.

The Vestgut, which had been towing a barge, then suffered engine trouble and was spotted drifting by Filipino fishermen who informed the Navy.

Two Navy boats rescued the tugboat last Friday off Pangutaran Island near the maritime border between the two countries. — Roel Pareño, AFP