DAVAO CITY – Due to huge waves, a commercial barge carrying tons of sand sank off the coast of Punta Sili in Hinatuan Island, Surigao del Norte province at around 6:00 in the morning on Friday.
The twenty-two (22) crew members of LCI Pacifica 1, were safely rescued after an hour when the MV Reina Veronica of the Montenegro Shipping passed the area and brought them to Bilang-bilang Port in Surigao City..
Roberto Espina in an interview with radio station RPN-dxKS revealed “The barge could no longer sustain the huge waves. When we were at a safe distance in two life rafts, we saw the huge waves overturn the barge.:
The Philippine News Agency reported that the vessel was traveling from Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte to Dapa town in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte when the incident occurred.
The same report quoted Roberto Espina, the captain of LCT Pacifica 1 saying “We were in the area off the coast of Punta Sili when big waves hit our barge,” in an interview with RPN DXKS radio station in Surigao City.
Espina said he immediately sent a distress signal and ordered all his crew to abandon the ship using two life rafts.-with report from PNA
