9 rescued from distressed boat off Occidental Mindoro

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Nine people were rescued when their boat developed engine trouble in the waters off San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday night.

The motor vessel, MV Chacha 101, departed from the Port of San Jose and was on its way to Calandagan, Palawan when its cooling system failed around five nautical miles west of Ambulong Island, Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Southern Tagalog district commander, said.

The PCG coordinated with the Occidental Mindoro special operations unit after receiving a distress call.

Motor boat Jhon Q and fishing boat Graziella conducted search and rescue operation and helped tow the distressed vessel to the Port of Caminawit.

The rescued boat captain and his eight crewmembers were found to be in good physical condition.

The PCG advised the owners of MV Chacha 101 to file a marine protest within 24 hours. A certificate of seaworthiness from the Maritime Industry Authority should be obtained before the boat can resume operations, it added.