On the Sea Accident Involving MV Mercraft 3

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DOTr-MARINA PRESS STATEMENT
22 December 2017


This refers to the sea mishap that occurred yesterday, 21 December 2017 at 10:30am, between Dinahican, Quezon and Polilio Island involving MV Mercraft 3.

Please be informed that MARINA Region 4 has dispatched search and rescue operations personnel, 30 minutes after the accident happened.

Initial reports from the field revealed that the vessel sank due to heavy rains and strong winds caused by the bad weather condition.

“Per narration of the [ship] master [Eruel Meraña]... the vessel collided with a hard object on its starboard side... allegedly a steel bouy. Hence, ingress of water caused the vessel to list and flooding started, and, simultaneously, they were battered with big waves estimated to be 3-5 meters high,” says DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Fernando Juan Perez.

Of the 251 passengers, 243 survived the incident, and were immediately brought to the Barangay Dinahican Village Hall in Quezon for immediate medical attention.

Five bodies were recovered; three remained unidentified as of writing. The cadavers are currently kept at the Claro M. Recto Memorial District Hospital in Infanta, Quezon.

Three more passengers are still missing.

Force multipiers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Enforcement Service have arrived in Quezon early afternoon of 22 December 2017, to check on the condition of the survivors and extend assistance on the ongoing search and rescue operation and investigation.

MARINA Region 4 Regional Director Marc Pascua is closely monitoring updates on the incident. More details will be provided soon.

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