Zambales: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 10 workers after a tugboat sank off the coast of Botolan, Zambales, on Monday morning amid strong waves and rough sea conditions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PCG reported that the tugboat, MTUG SL SUAL 1, was in the process of being towed away from its previous grounding site when it began listing to its starboard side at approximately 7:46 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the vessel became completely submerged in waters about 24 meters deep.

As the tugboat was sinking, the 10 workers aboard jumped overboard and were successfully rescued. All were found to be in good condition following the incident. The vessel was carrying around 15,000 liters of diesel as cargo, though the fuel tank was reported to be intact.

In response to the sinking, PCG responders conducted shoreline patrols along the Bucao River and nearby areas to check for potential oil spills. They also prepared absorbent pads and oil spill response equipment for prompt deployment if any petroleum products were detected.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab mentioned the possibility that the vessel may have collided with submerged metal debris, including remnants of a previously sunken vessel in the area. Cayabyab noted that the strong waves and rough sea conditions might have worsened the vessel's list, affecting its stability until it capsized. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.

The PCG has scheduled a meeting with the company representative, the vessel master, and other stakeholders to discuss the next steps for the sunken vessel, including handling the diesel cargo onboard. Continuous monitoring of the surrounding waters is in place to detect any signs of an oil spill, with marine environmental protection equipment ready for immediate use.

This incident follows a previous event on August 14 when the same tugboat ran aground off Barangay Bangan in Botolan after seawater breached its hull.