On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) towed a distressed vessel, which had experienced engine failure, to a safe location away from the coral reefs and shallow waters of Apo Reef Natural Park in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
PCG's Multi-Role Response Vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409), the closest available vessel, was notified of the situation. Although MRRV 4409 was already engaged in towing another PCG craft, it was redirected to assist M/V Meridian Queen.
At around 11:10 AM, the PCG Sub Station Sablayan received a radio message from M/V Crimson Sapphire, reporting that the distressed domestic cargo vessel M/V Meridian Queen was dead in the water, located 1.7 nautical miles northwest of Apo Island, Sablayan.
M/V Meridian Queen, carrying over 23 crew members and en route from North Harbor, Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, experienced issues with its Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) control, leading to a loss of propulsion and causing the vessel to drift toward the protected area.
Upon receiving the report, Coast Guard Sub Station Sablayan promptly coordinated with the Apo Reef Protected Area Superintendent to confirm the situation and established communication with M/V Meridian Queen.
The PCG initiated search and rescue operations, departing from Sablayan Port to provide assistance.
The distressed vessel has been temporarily towed to a safer location, away from coral reefs and shallow waters, through the combined efforts of the PCG team and Apo Reef Park Rangers.
