Phl Navy rescued embattled South Korean vessel in Ilocos Norte coast

The Philippine Navy (PN) patrol ship BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380) assisted a South Korean passenger vessel that encountered mechanical issues while navigating the coast of Ilocos Norte province.

The rescue operation was led by PN’s the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), through Naval Task Force 11, when it received an alert from the vessel Udosarang 1. 

While navigating the Burgos coast around 9 AM on 5 February, the South Korean ship experienced a mechanical malfunction. The navy immediately deployed BRP Nestor Reinoso to assist in the situation.

In a statement Friday, NFNL Public Affairs Chief ENS Cyrus Anthony Ramos said the emergency alert was monitored by the Maritime Situation Awareness Center – North (MSAC-N) and Naval Monitoring Detachment Pasuquin (NMD Pasuquin). 

This derangement, he added, restricted the ship's ability to maneuver, prompting this NFNL command “to take immediate action.”

After establishing contact with the vessel, Ramos said BRP Nestor Reinoso escorted Udosarang 1 to Sual, Pangasinan, where it could safely fix its mechanical malfunction.

The nine Filipino crew members aboard the Udosarang 1 “were safe and encountered no other problems,” he added.