Philippine Coast Guard recovers rammed fishing boat

MANILA, Philippines — The ill-fated Filipino fishing boat that was rammed by an oil tanker will be towed back to shore, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo shared with media a photo of the overturned FFB Dearyn still floating at sea yesterday. He did not mention the location where the photo was taken.

The agency tapped private provider Harbor Star to take charge of towing and salvaging the boat, which was hit on its right side by the oil tanker MT Pacific Anna.

Balilo noted the family who owns the fishing boat asked that the boat be retrieved to be repaired and used again.

He said the PCG has written to the government of Marshall Islands, where Pacific Anna is reportedly registered, to “conduct their investigation on the reported collision incident.”

“We expect with this formal request the Flag State of Marshall Islands will conduct safety investigation in compliance with the IMO’s Casualty Investigation Code Chapter 6 that the state of ship involved in a very serious maritime casualty is responsible for ensuring that a marine safety investigation be conducted and completed,” he said, referring to the International Maritime Organization.

The result of the proposed probe by Marshall Islands could be used to pursue “claims and damages for the boat owner, victims and survivors of FFB Dearyn,” Balilo said.

He added the PCG has also sent personnel to coordinate with authorities in Singapore where the oil tanker would head from its origin in Incheon, South Korea.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has provided financial assistance to families of three fishermen who died when a foreign crude oil tanker rammed their fishing boat last Monday.

BFAR national director Demosthenes Escoto said P20,000 cash assistance and food packages were handed to each bereaved family during his visit to the wake of the three fishermen – Benidecto Olandria, Dexter Laudencia and Romeo Mejico Jr. – on Thursday night in Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.

Escoto said BFAR will also provide a scholarship for their children’s college education in fisheries at any state college or university where they are qualified for admission. “This