Coast Guard Station Basilan Search and Rescue Operation for M/V Mary Joy 3.
The Philippine Coast Guard Basilan Station continues its search and rescue operations after a fire incident onboard passenger ferry M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 at the coast of Baluk-baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan on the night of March 29.
The vessel was underway from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu when it caught fire before midnight.
Coast Guard Station Basilan said that upon receipt of information regarding the fire incident, a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team from Coast Guard Sub-Station Maluso immediately proceeded into the area of the incident and was able to retrieve one female cadaver. Meanwhile, another SAR Team composed of CGS Basilan, CGSS Lamitan, and Special Operations Unit Team Lamitan personnel was also deployed.
On the other hand, CGSS Hadji Muhtamad formed a Joint Search and Rescue Team with the Local Government Unit of Hadji Muhtamad led by the Municipal Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh and was able to rescue four individuals and retrieved another one female cadaver.
PCG Vessels BRP Cape Engaño, BRP Tubbataha, and MCS 3007 were also deployed in the area.
“Coast Guard Station Basilan will immediately checked if there were signs of an oil spill and assisted in the conduct investigation and assessment of the vessel at the same time continued conducting search and retrieval operations of the still missing individuals,” PCG Basilan station said.
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman went to the ferry to personally oversee the operation. Salliman said he sympathized with the ill-fated MV Mary Joy 3 passengers who caught fire at sea.
“The Provincial Government immediately mobilized all its resources to assist the passengers and to speed up the recovery efforts for the missing passengers,” Salliman said.
Hadji. Muhtamad Mayor Arsina said that Isabela Disaster Response office head Nixon Alonzo, Isabela City DRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard Station Basilan, and other rescuers are now conducting a search and rescue operation..
ABS-CBN News online journalist Mike Navallo said that in a text message to ANC, Salliman said the death toll from the fire rose to 12.
Some 57 passengers were rescued and 14 of them were brought to a hospital.
