ZAMBOANGA CITY–Coast Guard personnel and Maritime policemen rescued 16 crewmen from a burning cargo ship off here, an official said Wednesday.
Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coast Guard Station Commander, said rescued on Tuesday afternoon were the crew of M/V Buansa II that caught fire while anchored off Barangay Baliwasan.
Ramos said the crew were transported to safety by Maritime policemen to their regional headquarters in Barangay Baliwasan while Coast Guard personnel assisted in putting off the fire.
Ramos said the fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday as the amber of welding electrodes fell and ignited the rubber tires, used as boat fenders, and the ship’s ropes.
He said the crew were doing arch welding repairs at the boat’s starboard bow before the fire that caused slight damaged to the steel-hulled ship broke out.
He said the fire was put out around 5:15 p.m. No one was reported injured during the incident.
M/V Buansa arrived at the anchorage area on Saturday after it delivered cement in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The ship, which is home-ported in this city, is owned and operated by the BNM Shipping Lines.-Bong Garcia/PNA
