Foreign cargo ship in distress off Ilocos

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday joined other neighboring countries in rendering assistance to a Panamanian-registered cargo ship with 20 officers and crewmen that reportedly encountered problems while in the vicinity of Ilocos Norte.

Aside from the PCG, the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center and Taiwan also provided assistance to the vessel in distress, the 4,580-gross ton M/V Oceanic Union, which was positioned at 107 nautical miles west-northwest of Cape Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Algier Ricafrente said initial information reaching their office showed that their action center received a call from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center at around 10:25 p.m. Friday.

The center informed the PCG that the cargo vessel was in distress and that its officers and crew had already declared an abandon ship. It reportedly requested assistance to evacuate all 20 crewmembers. 

The PCG-Northern Luzon District immediately dispatched a search and rescue vessel, the SARV 3502, and two air assets, an Islander and a helicopter, to do an aerial survey on the location of the foreign ship.

It also sent out a Notice to Mariners (Notam) to alert other vessels passing through the area to extend help to the M/V Oceanic Union.

Ricafrente said they also received information that Taiwan would also extend assistance, dispatching an aircraft fix wing and a chopper.

As of press time, Capt. George Ursabia, PCG-Northern Luzon District commander, said they were still conducting a rescue mission and gathering information on the maritime incident.

“There is an initial information, we are still trying to confirm this, that the officers and crew of M/V Oceanic Union did not abandon ship. The vessel was reportedly flooded,” Ursabia said.

The vessel was reportedly on its way to the Subic Bay Freeport for repairs when it met the accident.