Six people were rescued after the cargo vessel on which they were working as crew became partially submerged off the Philippines' Romblon province on Monday, June 30.
The landing craft San Juan Bautista had over 2,500 litres of diesel fuel and no cargo on board when the incident occurred between Romblon and Sibuyan Island.
The vessel's master later told Philippine Coast Guard investigators that the ship departed Guihulngan Port in Negros Oriental province on Saturday, June 28, and was en route to Navotas City in Metro Manila where she was to be drydocked.
A Good Samaritan fishing boat diverted to the area to render assistance and evacuated all six crewmembers from the stranded landing craft. The coast guard said the rescued individuals were found to be in good physical condition.
The coast guard and other partner agencies are currently using both air and surface assets to monitor the wreck and the surrounding waters for any sign of pollution.
The coast guard has assured that the risk of environmental damage is "low" since it expects the diesel fuel to dissipate quickly should it leak into the water.