Retrieval operation in Catalyn-B wreck to resume Monday

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and expert divers would resume their search and retrieval operation for remaining bodies in the wreckage of the M/V Catalyn-B on Monday and would bring equipment to locate the sunken vessel.

Commodore Luis Tuason Jr., PCG-National Capital Region-Central Luzon (NCR-CL) district commander, said they would have to wait until Monday to resume their operation because the expert divers and the fishfinder device, which would help them find the wreck that lies at 221 feet under water, would be available in three days.

A fishfinder is a device used to detect fish under water, showing a graphic display of the sea bottom.

Ever since the floating device, made up of a life ring and a buoy, was stolen, the retrieval operation has been hampered as the divers have to locate the ship again. They have scoured the area several times but their attempts have been futile.

Tuason said they encountered several problems in their search such as the water was murky and the divers met big waves. “They also have to consider the limited time of their dive. They could only stay up to 30 minutes under water,” he added.

But despite the delay, the PCG has high hopes that it would make progress by Monday and hopefully, would be able to finish their search and retrieval operation soon.

As of last count, there were two still missing passengers of M/V Catalyn-B, which sank off Cavite after colliding with F/B Anatalia last Christmas Eve.

The PCG also has to wait for the divers of Philippine Technical Divers (PhilTech) who have commitments in Subic this week and will only be available on Monday.

The divers will be joined by PCG Auxiliary Capt. Matthew Caldwell, who was the one who located the M/V Catalyn-B early this month.

Tuason said they are determined to finish their mission, promising that they would not stop until they have checked and cleared every space of the shipwreck.

The PCG has spent close to P5 million on diesel fuel alone since it started with its operation last Dec. 24, using the BRP Pampanga. San Nicholas Shipping Lines, owner of M/V Catalyn-B, has shouldered part of the expenses.

PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Arman Balilo said, “The PCG has a budget for the dispatch of ships. But actually, the money we spent in the M/V Catalyn-B operations was smaller compared to some of (our) previous operations such as (in the case of) M/V Princess of the Stars where we had to use more ships and the operation took a longer time.”

PCG records showed that 25 bodies have been recovered, while there were 46 survivors and two remain missing.

M/V Catalyn-B collided with the steel-hulled F/B Anatalia last Dec. 24 about 2.8 nautical miles off Limbones Island in Cavite.