Coast Guard visits rescued Chinese vessel for inspection

Eastern Leyte (CNN Philippines, February 5) — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Tacloban visited on Sunday the Chinese vessel that was rescued off the coast of Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar last week.

The PCG personnel, headed by Lt Commander Ramil Montemar, brought supplies that included rice, canned goods, fruits, and water for the crew of the FV KAI DA 899 that was docked some four nautical miles from Tacloban City Port area.

The PCG first inspected the oil spill boom they installed around the vessel to protect the area from a possible oil leakage.

Montemar said they also wanted to check on the condition of the crew but they were not allowed to go on board by Cherry Song, who was identified as the person who called the PCG and reported the situation of the distressed Chinese vessel last January.

According to him, Song joined the PCG, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Customs personnel during the inspection of the vessel when it arrived in Tacloban on Jan. 28.

Since they could not board the vessel, PCG personnel handed over the supplies they brought to the Chinese crew.

Montemar added they were supposed to deliver to the Chinese crew a letter requesting a meeting with their representative. He said Song promised to send a representative to the PCG office to get the letter.

The PCG is conducting regular security patrols in the area to ensure the safety of the Chinese crew and to check for a possible oil spill.