PCG halts water search and rescue training after apprentice seaman's death

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday advised the suspension of all water search and rescue training following the death of an apprentice seaman.

«All WASAR courses are hereby suspended immediately pending the conduct of review of safety procedures by the Coast Guard Special Operations Force and cognizant units,» said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan in a statement on Friday.

PCG said a member of its Palawan office died during training.

«On Wednesday, 15 November 2023, a 27-year-old PCG District Palawan personnel with the rank of 'Apprentice Seaman' lost consciousness amid the 100-meter swim,” the statement read.

The maritime agency said the training staff immediately noticed the situation and conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.

It added that the seaman was brought to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

»With this incident, rest assured that our existing training safety protocols will be reviewed and improved to ensure that every personnel preparing to become first responders can effectively serve the Filipino nation by upholding safety of lives at sea," Gavan said.