BFAR vessel runs aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal in West PH Sea --PCG

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A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel on Thursday ran aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during a fuel subsidy distribution, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday.

BRP Datu Magat Salamat was refloated after the PCG sent the BRP Malabrigo to assist, PCG spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said.

“Yesterday morning, while approaching a group of Filipino fishing vessels to position herself for the distribution of fuel to some 15 to 20 fishing boats, the vessel ran aground in the shallow waters of the shoal,” Tarriela said in a statement.

“The fishing boats immediately attempted to assist and provided initial towing assistance, but the effort was unsuccessful due to the morning low tide and their limited pulling power,” it added.

The BFAR vessel was at Hasa-Hasa Shoal to deliver fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen under the government's Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda Program in the Kalayaan Island Group.

Initially, Filipino fishing boats tried to assist by towing the BFAR vessel but the effort was unsuccessful due to the morning low tide and their limited pulling capacity.

The PCG then dispatched BRP Malabrigo from Buliluyan Port in Bataraza, Palawan with Coast Guard divers on board.

BRP Malabrigo arrived at around noon and laid out a 600-meter towing line using its rigid-hulled inflatable boat.

“At around 3:34 PM, BRP Malabrigo safely pulled BRP Datu Magat Salamat out of the grounding area despite rough seas, southwesterly winds of 22 to 27 knots, and large waves,” Tarriela said.

Meanwhile, Tarriela said a China Coast Guard (CCG) aircraft with tail number 11101 was seen conducting aerial surveillance of the grounded BFAR vessel while the operation was underway. —VAL, GMA News