Coast Guard reports maritime distress off the waters of Romblon

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a maritime incident involving M/V Maria Helena that was reported to be approximately 100 meters from the shoreline of Barangay Nasunugan, Banton, Romblon early morning Sunday.

According to Captain Elmo Sumocol, the distressed passenger vessel of the Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. had 50 passengers (including drivers), 32 crew members (including the captain), and 16 rolling cargoes on board.

He said the listing occurred after a tire of one of the rolling cargoes blew up, which broke the lashing.

At around 3 am, the passengers started disembarking MV Maria Helena using its lifeboat.

The PCG team and local passenger boats in the vicinity waters also assisted in the safe disembarkation of the passengers. They were brought to the Barangay Nasunugan to check their condi- tion and for further assistance.

At around 4:35 am, Sumocol reported that all 50 passengers were safe. However, MV Maria Helena already listed 10 degrees portside due to an imbalance of cargo and seawater that entered the distressed vessel.

He also confirmed no signs of cracks or holes on the ship’s hull.