The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified search and rescue efforts for the missing cargo vessel Sta. Monica.
The coast guard is searching for the missing vessel, which is feared shipwrecked, after it received reports of debris being sighted in the waters between Taytay, Palawan, and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.
“The PCG's BN Islander, an aerial asset, has conducted extensive aerial searches to the east of Taytay and from San Jose to Paluan, although these efforts have yet to yield results. In addition, Coast Guard personnel have been actively patrolling both sea and shorelines in Occidental Mindoro,” the coast said in a statement on Monday.
The PCG said it was enhancing information gathering and dissemination among local fisher folk to assist in the search.
The vessel was heading to Casian, Taytay, Palawan, seeking shelter from bad weather on October 22. It was reported unreachable by the shipping company Synergy Sea Venture’s clearing officer on October 27, and attempts to contact its 10-member crew, including the captain, had failed, the PCG said.
Coast guards in the Palawan and Tagalong districts, as well as other regional units, are collaborating closely in the search for the vessel.
“Ongoing search and rescue operations include aerial, seaborne, and shoreline patrols,” the PCG said.
