Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully rescued a distressed wooden-hulled vessel carrying relief goods off Pandami municipality in Sulu province on Saturday afternoon. In a report, Commander Al-Hafidz Bih, commander of Coast Guard Station-Western Sulu, said the vessel, M/L Super Inn, was rescued in the vicinity of Tiyumbal Island.

According to Philippines News Agency, Coast Guard Sub-Station-Siasi launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation after receiving a distress call from skipper Almujib Asula. Asula informed authorities of the engine failure while en route from Maimbung town to Pandami. The vessel was transporting about 1,900 sacks of rice intended as relief assistance for the municipality of Pandami.

Bih noted that Asula dropped anchor while awaiting assistance to prevent the vessel from running aground and listing due to strong sea currents. The SAR team coordinated with the owner of another vessel, M/L Fatima Sharifa-1, to assist in towing M/L Super Inn to Pandami.