BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted 34 seafarers, composed of 22 Indonesians, 10 Koreans, and two Filipinos, following a fire incident inside the engine room of Korean fishing vessel, FV No. 96 Oyang at the vicinity waters off Panganiban, Catanduanes yesterday, 27 January 2021.
According to the crew, they departed from Busan, South Korea heading to Montevideo, Uruguay for fishing operations when they noticed a thick black smoke coming from the engine room, a few moments before a huge fire break out at around 02:00 a.m. on 26 January 2021.
When the captain declared ‘abandon ship’ at around 03:00 a.m., transiting vessel, MV Golden Aspirant immediately conducted rescue operations and maintained active coordination with the PCG for further assistance.
Upon arrival at the Port of Cebu, the One-Stop Shop (OSS) Cebu Team, together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), facilitated swab sample collection and provided hot meals to the rescued mariners, while the K9 and Medical Teams of the Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) conducted baggage inspection and sanitation.
Afterwards, they were transported to a designated quarantine facility while waiting for their RT-PCR test results.
As of today, 28 January 2021, the survivors are being monitored by their ship company’s representative, in coordination with IATF – Region VII and South Korea Consulate based in Cebu City.
