Tugboat sinks off Botolan, Zambales

A tugboat sank off Botolan, Zambales province in northern Philippines on Monday after it began tilting sharply to one side while being towed from an area where it had run aground, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

All 10 workers aboard were rescued, it said in a Facebook post.

“The prevailing strong waves and rough sea conditions may have further worsened the vessel’s list and affected its stability before it capsized and became completely submerged,” coast guard spokesman Commodore Noemie G. Cayabyab said. “The exact cause of the incident remains subject to further investigation.”

The MTUG SL SUAL 1 began tilting to its starboard side at about 7:46 a.m. and sank in waters about 24 meters deep. All 10 workers jumped overboard before the vessel was submerged and were later accounted for in good condition.

The tugboat was carrying about 15,000 liters of diesel. Its fuel tank was reported to be intact.

PCG responders conducted shoreline patrols along the Bucao River and near the sinking site to check for possible oil spills. Absorbent pads and other response equipment were placed on standby.

Ms. Cayabyab said authorities were looking into whether the tugboat struck submerged metal debris, including part of a previously sunken vessel.

The PCG said it would meet the vessel owner’s representative, master and other stakeholders to discuss measures for the sunken tugboat and its diesel cargo. — Pexcel John Bacon