Boat drifts off Tawi-Tawi; 90 rescued

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A patrol vessel of the Philippine Navy rescued 90 passengers of a motor launch that developed engine trouble in the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Thursday.

The Navy’s BRP General Mariano Alvarez prevented the motor launch Len-Lyn from drifting toward the Celebes Sea, according to Capt. Hilarion Cecista, acting chief of the Western Mindanao Naval Command.

Cecista said that Len-Lyn’s engine malfunctioned as it was sailing near the coast of Languyan town.

The boat was headed for Sibutu from Sulu when it experienced mechanical trouble due to rough sea conditions.

Cecista said one of the boat’s passengers sent a distress call through Viber to the Navy at around 1:30 p.m.

The Alvarez coordinated with the Naval Task Force 61 based in Tawi-Tawi to maintain contact with the distressed boat and to track its location.

The passengers were transferred to the Navy ship while the Len-Lyn was towed to a port in Bongao town.