The Philippines: BRP-Pampanga Joins Salvage Operations of Distressed Chinese Bulker

The Philippine Coast Guard announced yesterday that a Chinese-owned bulk carrier is currently dead on waters after it encountered engine trouble just southwest of Tubbataha Reef along the vicinity off Sulu Sea in Palawan.

Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Palawan district commander said that his office received an urgent call from officials of the New Filipino Agencies Marine Inc. saying that M/V Tan An Ha, a Panamanian-registered cargo vessel and owned by Tan Ai Shipping based in Fujian, China is currently in a distress situation after its main engine conked out while sailing southwest of the Sulu Sea (Latitude 07° – 4.7°N/ Longitude 119 ° – 40°E).

Evangelista said that the cargo-vessel, which came from Singapore, was supposedly on its way to Tagbilaran Port in Bohol to deliver 5,900 tons of limestone shipment when the incident happened.

Initial reports from the area disclosed that rough sea conditions continue hammering the vessel and the ship’s captain is worried that it may cause the vessel to run aground along the shallow portions in the area.
Search and rescue vessel BRP-Pampanga, which is currently assisting on the salvage operations of the USS Guardian along Tubbataha Reef was dispatched to respond  and render immediate assistance to crew of the said cargo vessel. The PCG assured the public that the area where the vessel is currently located is far from the Tubbataha Reef.

[mappress]

Naval Today Staff, March 6, 2013