Four crew members of a motorboat that capsized in the waters off Sibolo Island in Caluya, Antique and Carabao Island, Romblon were rescued then sent safely home, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Antique said.
According to PCG Senior Chief Petty Officer Alan Mandado, their Caluya substation received a call from the owner of MBCA Jerson that his motorboat capsized in the morning of Feb. 24.
Sanoy Ciriaco told the substation that his crew were supposed to deliver 70 sacks of seaweeds to Sibolo Island from Sta. Fe, Romblon.
The motorboat capsized due to a broken left outrigger caused by big waves.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched by the PCG substation, local police, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Caluya.
The following were rescued: Joso Ciriaco, 37; Cris Matanda, 30; Lito Rafal, 36; and Michael Matillano, 29.
“They were brought to the Caluya rural health unit for medical checkup,” Mandado said.
Found to be in good physical condition, they were transported back to Sta. Fe, Romblon in the afternoon of the same day.