The Filipino captain of the cargo vessel M/V Han Yi which helped rescue seafarers from the sunken MSC Elsa 3 off the coast of Kerala, India last May was received by Philippine authorities on Thursday.

Iloilo-born Captain Roybel Tabobo, along with members of his crew, led in the rescue of nine Filipino seafarers of the Elsa 3. The Han Yi was passing by at the time the Elsa 3 sank.

“The Indian Coast Guard rescued the remaining 11 Filipino crew members, bringing the total to 20 survivors,” the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in a statement.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Han Yi was among the first vessels to respond to the distress call from the Elsa 3.

Meanwhile, the 20 Filipino seafarers on the Elsa 3 are expected back in the Philippines next week. They are temporarily staying at a hotel in Kochi, India as they await repatriation.

Temporary travel documents for the seafarers were requested from the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi after they lost their belongings in the sinking.

The 184-meter Elsa 3 was sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it ran into trouble and issued a distress signal. It carried 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous and 12 containing calcium carbide.