A desperate search is underway for 11 recreational divers and four crew members after their boat capsized off Sarangani province Monday afternoon.
Coast Guard Apprentice Lei Brosas, of the operations unit in Davao City, confirmed that the rescue vessel BRP Malamawi was deployed to the last known coordinates of the dive boat, identified as the MBCA Amejara.
“I am hoping dako ilang chance to survive kay anad sa dagat. But elements will take over if dugay ma locate, dehydration, hypothermia,” Vladimir Elazegui, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) member, based in Cagayan de Oro City, told Gold Star Daily.
Reports indicate the passengers were clinging to the overturned hull of the boat but still managed to send a text message for help Monday afternoon.
“As of 8 pm Monday, we are still searching the general area where we received a mobile phone message from the divers,” Brosas said.
Lt. Regino Libres, commander of the Coast Guard station in Davao Occidental, said the MBCA Amejara was last sighted off Sarangani province. He confirmed the ill-fated boat had 11 divers and four crew members on board when it went down.
Libres has directed Coast Guard stations in Balut Island, Jose Abad Santos, and Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental to be on the lookout for the capsized vessel and render immediate assistance.
The boat originally departed Sta. Ana port for Governor Generoso on Sunday night. It left Governor Generoso on Monday afternoon before encountering trouble.
