LUCENA CITY: A fishing vessel carrying 40,000 litres of automotive diesel oil (ADO) sank off the coast of Lian town in Batangas province early Wednesday (July 23).
According to the Philippine Coast Guard–District Southern Tagalog (PCG-DST), the fishing vessel Unity World was completely submerged at around 3am, approximately 2.25 nautical miles (4km) off Barangay Luyahan, in the waters of Lian facing Nasugbu Bay.
The vessel was reportedly carrying 40,000 litres of ADO when it sank. All 11 crew members managed to reach the shoreline safely using floating devices, the PCG said.
The crew members were declared well following a health check conducted by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) staff.
According to the crew, FV Unity World had departed from Navotas Fish Port Pier 1 en route to Cuyo, Palawan, to pick up marine products.
The vessel reportedly encountered rough sea conditions near Fortune Island in the vicinity of Nasugbu, Batangas, around 2am, prompting the vessel’s chief mariner to order the crew to abandon ship.
At 3:53am, PCG personnel from the Lian station proceeded to the Matabungkay shoreline for further inspection of the sunken ship area but were unable to launch their vessels due to rough sea conditions.
The team continues to monitor the area, disseminate information, and make efforts to reach the site. So far, no reports of oil slicks in the area have been received.
The PCG remains in close coordination with local government units and concerned agencies to ensure an appropriate response and readiness of mitigation measures. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
