Twenty-three individuals were rescued after a tourist boat and a motor banca collided off the coast of Consuelo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
Rescue Details
Among those rescued were:
- 16 passengers
- The tourist boat’s captain and crew member
- The motor banca’s captain and four crew members
One passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Cause of Collision
The PCG identified miscommunication on vessel signaling as the primary cause of the accident.
Prompt Response
Personnel from the Coast Guard Sub-Station Cantilan, who were conducting a coastal security patrol, immediately launched a search and rescue operation after the incident.
Resolution and Reminder
The operators of both vessels reached an agreement, with medical expenses for the injured passenger covered.
The Coast Guard has reminded all vessel operators to adhere to strict precautionary measures before and during voyages to prevent similar incidents in the future.