The survivors told the PCG Station Surigao del Norte that they shared life jackets and life rings to help them stay afloat for two days.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — Four crew members were found dead after their boat ran aground in the waters off Surigao del Norte, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo said on Tuesday.
Seven survivors have been found, while the search and rescue operations will continue until the nine other missing crew members are located.
A formal investigation on the cause of the incident will begin after the PCG ends its search and rescue operations.
The maritime incident involving the LCT Cebu Great Ocean vessel happened along the shoreline of Barangay Cantapoy in Malimono town on Monday afternoon.
PCG said the crew members were hired by a mining company and more information have yet to be issued.
Based on the testimonies of the survivors, the LCT Cebu Great Ocean was anchored off Jabonga, Agusan del Sur, but the vessel’s anchor chain was cut off due to bad weather and rough sea condition. They said water started coming in, causing massive flooding inside the vessel until it eventually listed. It was during this time when they declared “abandon ship” and jumped into the water.
