(Photo courtesy of CGS-Western Sulu)
The Philippine Coast Guard rescued a wooden-hulled vessel carrying relief supplies after it suffered engine trouble off Pandami, Sulu, on Saturday afternoon.
The vessel, M/L Super Inn, was found near Tiyumbal Island following a search and rescue operation conducted by Coast Guard personnel in Western Sulu.
Commander Al-Hafidz Bih of Coast Guard Station-Western Sulu said the operation began after authorities received a distress call from the vessel’s skipper, Almujib Asula.
Asula reported that the boat’s engine had failed while it was traveling from Maimbung to Pandami.
The vessel was transporting about 1,900 sacks of rice intended for distribution as relief assistance in Pandami.
While waiting for rescuers, the skipper dropped anchor to keep the vessel from drifting toward shallow waters or tilting because of strong currents.
The Coast Guard coordinated with the owner of another vessel, M/L Fatima Sharifa-1, to provide towing assistance.
M/L Super Inn was later brought safely to Pandami, together with its cargo and crew.