ORMOC CITY— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Northern Samar rescued a fisherman after his motorized banca became half-submerged in the waters off Capul, Northern Samar on Friday morning, February 6.
The rescued passenger was identified as Henry Gerero Jr., a fisherman and resident of Barangay Villa Flores, Lavezares, Northern Samar.
The Coast Guard said it received a report from a concerned citizen regarding a half-submerged banca with one person onboard, initially sighted near Barangay Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar. A search and rescue team from Coast Guard Station Northern Samar and the Special Operations Unit (SOU) was immediately deployed aboard RB-052, with coordination made with nearby vessels.
The distressed banca was later spotted by LCT GT Express 2 in the vicinity waters of Capul, where the lone passenger was successfully rescued. The Coast Guard team took custody of Gerero and the banca, refloated and towed the vessel, and safely brought them to Barangay Victoria, Allen, Northern Samar.
Investigation showed that Gerero was operating an unregistered motorized banca en route to Lavezares when strong waves caused seawater to enter the vessel, leaving it half-submerged. No injuries were reported.
The Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to ensuring maritime safety and conducting prompt search and rescue operations.
(ROBERT DEJON)
