The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has issued an urgent notice to mariners after a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship sent a distress signal Friday while navigating the waters near Eastern Samar.

The vessel, identified as the bulk carrier XING GUANG 11, reported its location approximately 54 nautical miles east-northeast of Alegria Beach in Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte.

The site is within the general vicinity of Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

According to marine traffic data, the ship was en route to the Morowali Regency in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The destination is a prominent international hub for nickel mining and processing.

Coast Guard station in Eastern Samar released a formal notice Friday afternoon requesting all vessels and watercraft transiting the area to keep a sharp lookout for the distressed ship.

Officials have asked mariners to provide any necessary assistance if the vessel is sighted and to immediately report findings to the nearest Coast Guard office or radio station.

The Coast Guard has not yet confirmed the nature of the distress or the number of crew members on board.