Coast Guard searches for 14 more divers, crew after vessel capsizes off Sarangani

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard has launched a search for over a dozen recreational divers and crew members after their boat capsized off Sarangani province on Monday afternoon, January 19.

One crew member, Christopher Bulig, was found late in the morning on Tuesday, January 20, and given medical care.

The patrol boat BRP Malamawi was initially deployed toward the last coordinates received from the dive boat, MBCA Amejara, said Apprentice Lei Brosas of the Coast Guard in Davao.

As of Tuesday, authorities were still searching the area where a mobile phone message from the divers had been traced.

Lieutenant Regino Libres, commander of the Coast Guard station in Davao Occidental, said MBCA Amejara was last seen off Sarangani province with 11 divers and four crew members aboard. 

The search continues for the following 14 divers and crew members:

• John Julius Alcain
• Ace Cortez
• Anton Banzali
• Homer Bolasa
• Hector Emberga
• Patrocinio Genita III, boat master
• Christian Genita
• Levi Lao
• Herwin Tan
• Jaime Tan
• Jessie Tan
• Lanorias Porferio Jr.
• Steven Tan
• Eariano Uyking

He ordered Coast Guard stations in Balut Island, Jose Abad Santos, and Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental to monitor the area and assist any survivors.

Brosas said the passengers were clinging to the overturned hull but were able to send a text message Monday afternoon. 

The boat had departed Santa Ana port for Governor Generoso town on Sunday night, January 18, and left Governor Generoso the following afternoon.

The Coast Guard reported no signs of the missing boat as of Tuesday, and more Naval assets were deployed for the ongoing search. 

The landing craft BRP Tagbanua departed General Santos City on Monday night and was conducting maritime patrol and search operations off Davao Occidental, focusing on waters near Don Marcelino and Santa Maria. 

The patrol ship BRP Artemio Ricarte left Davao City early Tuesday, while the vessel BA491 was underway northeast of Botak Point, Malita, Davao Occidental.. 

A Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft also joined the search, conducting maritime surveillance and reconnaissance over Davao Gulf. – Rappler.com