Twenty Filipino seafarers were evacuated on Friday, July 17th from a Singaporean-flagged ship that ran aground one nautical mile off Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, the Philippine Coast Guard informed.
Two of the 21 crew of the MV Alam Manis bulk carrier were earlier reported missing, one of whom was identified as C/M Henry Libo-on, who passed away due to heart attack, the Coast Guard said.
The 231 gross tonnage MV Alam Manis, owned by Malaysian Bulk Carriers, was reportedly battered by huge swells that drenched its nickel ore cargo, causing the vessel to lose its stability until it listed and eventually grounded.
MV Alam Manis was en route to Balintang Channel when the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, the rest of the 20 seafarers were rescued by escort tug MT Salviscount and ferried to the port of San Fernando, La Union. MV Alam Manis was manned by Captain Orlando Cabalatungan.
According to Ng Cock Soon, manager of PSM Perkapalan Sdn, Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Bulk Carriers, the survivors were brought to San Fernando where they met up with their families.
There have been no signs of oil spill within the vicinity waters where MV Alam Manis ran aground, according to reports made by the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Salomague.
Nonetheless, oil spill boom equipment was provided by the Philippine Coast Guard to prevent any possibility of such incidents.
The Coast Guard said that MT Salviscount would remain in the vicinity of MV Alam Manis to continue monitoring the situation.