Amid storm, Coast Guard rescues crew after fire breaks out on ship in Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully rescued 18 crew members from two vessels involved in an allision in the Navotas Anchorage Area, Manila Bay, amid strong currents and adverse weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm Enteng.

The incident occurred when cargo vessel LCT GT Express collided with MV Kamilla, a training ship anchored in the vicinity waters of Navotas City.

The PCG received a report about the allision at approximately 7:28 am on Monday, September 2. According to an initial investigation, LCT GT Express, which was also anchored nearby, was swept away by the strong current. The ship then struck MV Kamilla, resulting in damage to the latter’s bridge.

The PCG said it “tried to deploy a floating asset to assist the crew but failed to do so due to strong current and unfavorable weather conditions.”

Around 2 hours later at 9:19 am, MV Kamilla reported a fire on board. By 10:50 am, the ship’s owner informed the PCG that the crew had abandoned the distressed vessel.

Shortly after, the tugboat MTUG Phil Leyte reported the successful rescue of 17 out of 18 crew members, who were brought to the Coast Guard Sub-Station Navotas by 11:15 am.

Medical assistance was provided to the rescued individuals by the Bureau of Fire Protection Navotas Medical Team.

The final crew member was later rescued in Barangay Sipac-Almacen and was receiving medical treatment at Navotas City Hospital as of writing.

In response to the fire, the PCG deployed BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) to conduct firefighting operations. The PCG has also advised the master of MV Kamilla to file a marine protest at Coast Guard Station Manila.

Aside from the incident involving LCT GT Express and MV Kamilla, the PCG also towed back a drifting vessel, Barge Tamban, to the Navotas Fish Port Complex. Coast Guard also responded to several vessels which ran aground — Barge ASC Regine, MTKR Patriot II, and MTKR EBC Maricel VI, all within the vicinity waters of Navotas City. – Rappler.com