Missing fisherman rescued off Occidental Mindoro

A fisherman reported missing for nine days after his boat suffered engine failure was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy during a joint search and rescue operation off Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, on Sunday.

The fisherman had departed Sitio Kalangigan in Barangay Harrison, Paluan, aboard his fishing banca, Tyron, for a solo fishing trip before losing contact on the evening of 16 October.

Following his disappearance, Coast Guard Sub-Station Paluan launched multi-agency search operations across the coastal waters of Occidental Mindoro in coordination with local government units, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and local fishing communities.

Coast Guard authorities also broadcast public advisories and issued radio calls over very high frequency radio, requesting transiting commercial and municipal vessels to monitor the area for the missing boat.

Investigators confirmed that the fishing banca suffered an engine breakdown shortly after departure, leaving the fisherman drifting open waters for nine days before rescue teams located him.

Due to operational schedules and logistics, the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz transported the survivor to Rivera Wharf at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Olongapo City.

Medical personnel from Coast Guard Station Zambales and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority evaluated the survivor upon arrival, confirming he remained in good physical health despite prolonged exposure at sea.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard Station Zambales and a response team from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources retrieved and towed the fishing banca Tyron to shore.

The survivor was transferred to representatives of the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the provincial social welfare office for transportation back to his family in Mamburao.