Joint Rescue Responders of Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao Save 22 Crew of MV Bradrich in Misamis Oriental PCG: 22 Crew of MV Bradrich were successfully rescued by joint rescue team of Special Operations Group of Northern Mindanao, Coast Guard Station Iligan, 1001.2 SAR Auxiliary Division, MV Windrich and MTUG SEABORNE 1 after almost one day of very challenging SAR operations at the midst of Bohol Sea or at vicinity 24.5 NM North West off Sulawan Point, Misamis, Oriental last July 8, 2014. At 9 AM of 07 July 2014, a distress message was sent out by CAPTAIN Freddie Escala, the shipmaster of MV Bradrich that his vessel encountered engine trouble while cruising at vicinity 6 NM North West off Oroquieta City, Misamis, Oriental. Captain Escala requested for assistance to tow his vessel to nearest port. MV Bradrich, a 485.77-GT Cargo vessel, owned and operated by J.A. Shipping lines departed Lafarge Port, Kiwalan, Iligan City at 9:30 PM of July 6, 2014. Said vessel was loaded with 36,000 bags of cement to be transported to Zamboanga City. Upon receipt of the distress message, a SAR team was immediately dispatched headed by LCDR GEOFFREY T GERVO PCG, Station Commander of CGS Iligan, as the On-Scene-Commander of the SAR Operations. In the afternoon of the same day, MV WINDRICH, the sister ship of said distressed vessel and MTUG SEABORNE 1 were dispatched to augment on the said rescue operations. However, the SAR responders encountered difficulty in approaching MV BRADRICH at closer distance due to the very rough sea condition and strong South Westerly wind prevailing in the area. The loss of communication line to the distressed vessel and the difficulty of night navigation have also made it more difficult for the rescue team. The Operations Center of Headquarters Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao closely monitored the SAR operations. After long hours of search under the difficulty of navigation in a very rough sea condition, LCDR GERVO then directed the two rescue vessels to seek shelter at the anchorage area of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. At 4 AM of July 8, 2014, the 2 rescue vessels resumed its SAR Operations. Meanwhile, the Operations Center of HCGDNM recomputed its search areas because of the long hours that the distressed vessel was drifted towards the sea of Bohol, which is further away from the mainland of Misamis Occidental. Three search areas were identified for the reason of uncertainty where the distressed vessel might have drifted. These new search areas were relayed to responding units extending their search approximately 20 to 30 NM further away from the mainland of two provinces, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental. On the other hand, HCGDNM commissioned the 1001.2 SAR Auxiliary Division of Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City to participate in the intensive SAR operations. The said Auxiliary Division employed 2 Jet Boats with 40 knots cruising speed. Two teams of rescue swimmers of the Special Operations Group boarded the 2 jet boats for possible rescue and retrieval operations. Finally, at 11 AM of July 2014, the joint rescue responders located MV BRADRICH at approximately 24.5 NM North West off Sulawan Point, Misamis Oriental, which is within the drawn search box area. The combined team using satellite phone reported that the 22 crew of the said distress vessel were all in good physical condition and the vessel was safe. The distressed vessel was towed by her sister ship MV WINDRICH to the anchorage area of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental and arrived there safely. This resounding successful SAR operation was attributed to the exemplary acts resulting to saving the lives of the 22 Crew of MV Bradrich and the multi-million worth of goods and properties.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 03:21:01 +0000
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