Due to rough seas
TACLOBAN CITY – A cargo vessel capsized in rough seas off Barangay Balicuatro, Lavezares, Northern Samar, on December 30, leaving one person dead and one missing, while 12 crew members were successfully rescued.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Allen, Northern Samar, reported that the vessel, MV Jerlyn Khatness, owned by Jerlyn’s Shipping Line Corp. based in Cebu, carrying a load of cement, was en route from Naga City, Cebu, to San Jose, Northern Samar, when it was struck by large waves at approximately 2:30 pm, causing it to sink.
The incident, attributed to bad weather, was reported to the PCG Northern Samar Station around 10 pm by a concerned individual.
A fisherman aboard a motor banca rescued three crew members near Barangay Lipata, Allen, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
The fatality has been identified as Dondee Macasul, 30, of Tagum City, Davao del Norte. His body was recovered in the waters off Barangay Pio del Pilar, Biri, Northern Samar, at about 8 am on Tuesday, December 31.
By Tuesday morning, a total of 13 survivors, including the vessel’s master, Alberto Ompoc, had been rescued with assistance from a passing Sta. Clara Shipping Line vessel.
Aside from Ompoc, the other survivors were identified as follows Rolando Sabordo, 57, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Symon Ken Tecson, 28, Tandag, Surigao del Sur;John Philip Pauce, 32, Kimba, Lazi, Siquijor; Marvy Kirk Yu, 30, Barangay Payao, Catbalogan City; Nelson Martasho, 50, Isabel, Leyte; Michael Orja, Arteche, Eastern Samar; Ronald Alojacin, Minglanilla, Cebu;Gibby Acibron, Naga City, Cebu;Narciso Andojar, Rizal, Palompon, Leyte; James Murphy Paciencia, 23, Kananga, Leyte; Florentino Geruila, 44, San Jose, Northern Samar; and Ramil Bandala Biñas, 49, Barangay Tiglawigan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
Still missing is Andres Bolanon, 63, of Tubigon, Bohol.
The survivors were transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and later moved to an evacuation center in Allen, where they received food and clothing from the local government.
According to Apprentice Seaman John Lemuel Vallesta, none of the rescued crew members sustained injuries.
“Search and rescue operations continue until we find the remaining crew member,” Vallesta said in a phone interview.
A maritime inquiry was also launched to really determine the cause of the sea tragedy.
According to Vallesta, the vessel’s master, Ompoc, confirmed that there were 15 crew members aboard the MV Jerlyn Khatness when it departed Naga City.
The PCG Northern Samar has deployed personnel and search-and-rescue vessel RB-052 to locate the missing crew member.
Assistance has also been provided by the regional Office of Civil Defense and the Coast Guard in Matnog, Sorsogon. Nearby vessels have been alerted to support the ongoing operations.
The PCG has issued an advisory reminding mariners to exercise extreme caution due to rough sea conditions caused by prevailing weather patterns. Mariners are urged to closely monitor weather updates and ensure vessel preparedness before embarking on voyages.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROBERT DEJON)
