By Hilda Austria

RESCUED. The personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard rescue nine fishers whose boat was damaged in Dasol, Pangasinan on Holy Wednesday (April 16, 2025). The fishers have returned home to their families. (Photo courtesy of PCG Pangasinan)

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Pangasinan Station rescued nine fishers from a half-submerged fishing vessel off the coast of Dasol town on Tuesday.

In a report of the PCG Pangasinan station issued on Wednesday, it stated that the crew of the boat made a distress call to nearby boats, which was reported to their office on April 15.

“PCG successfully responded to a distress call involving the half-submerged fishing vessel F/B RICKMAR 1, located approximately 17.46 nautical miles west of Tambobong Point Dasol town, Pangasinan. Contact was established through radio, and the fishing boat was confirmed to be secured to a Fish Aggregating Device (PAYAW). All crew members were reported safe,” the statement said.

PCG personnel said the boat encountered mechanical trouble due to issues with its shafting propeller.

At around 5:50 a.m. on April 16, the Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra released the towing line, while F/B Trinidad stood by and officially began towing F/B Rickmar 1 to Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan by 6:01 a.m.

The rescued fishers were brought to the PCG Infanta Substation, where they received initial medical assistance from the Infanta Rural Health Unit. (PNA)