MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 20, 2008) – The Philippine Coast Guard rescued three Spanish divers, including their four Filipino guides off Palawan island after their boat developed engine trouble and drifted more than 31 hours, according to the official Philippine News Agency.
It said the seven were rescued at around 1 p.m. on Friday. “We were able to keep track of their location because we were able to communicate and receive text messages from one of the divers, Carlos Blanche,” said Coast Guard Commander Vanni Bergantin.
The Spanish divers were identified as Jaime Blanche, Carlos Blanche, and Tito Solan and the Filipinos - Bernardo Sedantes, Butch Sedantes, Boy Sedantes, and Ricaldo Galgo.
The Coast Guard said the seven men were reported missing since Thursday.
Their boat’s engine failed and the vessel drifted into open sea. “When we learned that they were one or two nautical miles away from Matanabis Island in Palawan, we alerted Agutaya Mayor Sim Zabalo who immediately dispatched fishing boats,” Bergantin said.
The Coast Guard said it first sighted the boat near Boracay island on Thursday, but the search and rescue operations were hampered by rough sea. The boat, named Maruja, drifted more than 45 nautical miles until it was again sighted off Palawan.
Bergantin said they were unable to get near the boat due to strong winds and huge waves. “With the help of the responding fishing boats, the troubled vessel was finally rescued and brought to Matanabis Island,” he said.
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