By Jason De Asis
DILASAG, Aurora – A search and rescue operation is underway for the fishing vessel FBCA Denise Dee, which has been reported missing with 22 crew members on board since early Wednesday morning.
The vessel was last in contact with its owner, Sherwin Belgar, in the early hours of Sept. 17, the Philippine Coast Guard Station (PCGS) in Dilasag, Aurora, reported. It received a report about the missing boat at 12:08 p.m. from Marivic Avilla, the wife of one of the crew members.
According to initial reports, the FBCA Denise Dee began a fishing trip around 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the waters east of Tordil, Casiguran, Aurora. The vessel reportedly did not have clearance from the local Coast Guard substation before departing.
At around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Belgar contacted the boat’s captain, Arjay Lumibao, instructing him to return immediately. Captain Lumibao replied that they had already sought shelter in Tordil. Communication was lost with the vessel around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.
In response, the PCGS Dilasag said it initiated a coordinated search effort, conducting mobile and foot patrols along the coastal areas of Dilasag and disseminating information about the missing vessel to local fisherfolk.
The Coast Guard said it was also working with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to organize a full-scale search and rescue operation.
In a separate incident, the Philippine Coast Guard and local civilians successfully rescued five stranded motorboats in Barangay Nipoo, Dinalungan, on Wednesday morning.
Ensign Romulo Jr. N. Ascura, the acting Station Commander of the Coast Guard Station Aurora, said a call came in for five half-submerged boats. One of the vessels was a total loss, while the other four sustained only minor damage.
Three Coast Guard personnel, aided by several civilians, worked for nearly an hour to pull the boats to safety. The rescue operation was completed at 9:30 a.m. (PNA)
