3 bulk carrier crew members die

An investigation is now underway over the death of three crew members aboard a Marshall Island-flag bulk carrier while in the waters off Bolinao, Pangasinan.

In a report reaching the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila on Saturday, the three seafarers were found unconscious aboard the MV Blue Cecil at around 7 p.m. on Friday.

The PCG responded to the incident call.

"At around 7:10 p.m. on 8 December 2023, the PCG Command Center received a phone call from Arthur Corpuz, captain of MV Blue Cecil, a bulk carrier registered under the Marshall Islands flag," the PCG report said.

"It was sailing in the vicinity waters approximately 149 nautical miles northwest of Bolinao, Pangasinan, en route to Singapore as its next port of call from Portland, USA," it added.

The captain requested for an immediate medical evacuation, but later informed the PCG Command Center that the three unconscious crew members had already been declared dead by the company's duty doctor.

The PCG Command Center was notified by Deputy Chief of Coast Staff for Operations to relay to BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) to coordinate with the said vessel.

The rendezvous was set north of Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, to assist in the transfer of the cadavers.

At around 5:53 a.m., the PCG Command Center coordinated with PCG District NCR-Central Luzon to provide necessary assistance upon the vessel's arrival at around 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The said vessel intended to travel to the Manila anchorage area.

Subsequently, the PCG received an update that the company had already made arrangements for the transfer and disembarkation of the cadavers, and had already coordinated their arrival at the Port of Manila.