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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 May) -– Forty-five passengers and five crew members were rescued after their boat bound for island hopping around Samal Island sank 150 meters away from the Sta. Ana Wharf here early Sunday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Davao Station Commander George Maganto said.
In a telephone interview, Maganto said MV Sam Christopher, was not overloaded but it sank at 7:55 a.m. when a rope that was connected to a sinker got entangled with its propeller.
Divers from the Emergency Response Company of Task Force Davao, whose headquarters is based at the wharf, immediately launched rescue operations, Col. Randolph Cabangbang, TFD Deputy Commander said.
Cabangbang said the sinking boat was ‘sa tapat mismo ng headquarters” (in front of our headquarters).
Maganto said all passengers were rescued by 8:20 a.m.
“We are conducting an investigation together with MARINA to identify who is at fault. The owner of the boat has insurance,” he said.
Authorities pulled the sunken boat back to the pier, he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)