Rescues Ongoing in Flooded Butan
Philippines Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao conducted rescue operations to various flooded barangays of Butuan due to tropical depression Agaton. The rescue efforts resulted to a total of 639, which includes 350 adults, 255 children and 34 infants.
Three Vessels Ground in the Philippines
The Philippines Coast Guard Central Vizayas Action Center reported today three maritime incidents that occurred within their area of responsibility last night, January 15. MV Joyful Star with 237 passengers onboard ran aground yesterday around 11:45 p.m. at the vicinity of Bantolinao Point, Cebu while enroute from Maasin, Leyte to Cebu. Said vessel, with 1097.87 GT, is skippered by Captain Alexander Canete of Roble Shipping Incorporated. The Coast Guard is still transferring passengers of MV Joyful Star using rubber boats to DF 318 and MTug Janggo to Porter Yacht Club, Cebu. Additionally, MV Subic Bay 1, a cargo container vessel, ran aground at the same area at 2:44 a.m. today en route from Nasipit, Butuan to Pier 7, Port of Cebu.
Philippine Passenger Ferry Disaster Update
The collision occurred in the vicinity of Lawis Ledge, off the island of Cebu between 'MV Sulpico Express 7', a cargo ship bound for Davao City, and 'MV St. Thomas Aquinas', a RoR passenger ferry out of Butuan bound for Cebu City. The ferry, with 841persons on board sank and at the latest count Monday, 19, August 0845 LMT, 750 passengers had been rescued, there were 42 casualties, and 78 persons were missing. "Official Statement on M/V St. At around 9pm of August 16, in the vicinity of Lawis Ledge, Talisay, Cebu, M/V St.
