Philippine Navy, Good Samaritans rescue fishermen from sinking boat near Benham Bank

A Philippine Navy patrol ship came to the aid of fishermen in distress after their boat suffered water ingress in the Benham Bank off the country’s northeast on Tuesday, September 14.

The patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio was conducting a routine maritime security patrol of the Philippine Rise when it received a distress call from the crew of the fishing boat Gabriel Tres, saying that they were rendering assistance to another boat in distress, identified as Mr Kupido.

The fishermen on Gabriel Tres said that, due to their boat’s small size, they can only accommodate four of Mr Kupido‘s 10-strong crew, hence their request for assistance.

Andres Bonifacio later arrived on-scene and took the six other survivors on board as the distressed fishing boat slipped beneath the waves. The successful rescue operation was concluded by 17:00 local time on Tuesday.