Philippine Navy patrol boat rescues adrift fishermen off Samar province

The crew of a Philippine Navy patrol vessel came to the aid of two fishermen who had gone adrift in the waters between the provinces of Samar and Leyte after their boat capsized on Tuesday, May 4.

The 24-metre Jose Andrada-class coastal patrol craft BRP Alfredo Peckson was conducting a maritime security patrol off Basey, Samar, when the duty lookout sighted two small figures in the water off the starboard bow at 16:00 local time on Tuesday.

The patrol craft then headed for the two castaways, who were subsequently pulled out of the water by the navy crew.

The rescued fishermen, aged 78 and 74, respectively, were given warm food and dry clothes and were later brought to Tacloban Port in Leyte. The navy personnel also recovered the capsized boat and towed it to Tacloban for repairs.

The fishermen told their rescuers that unfavourable sea conditions had caused their boat to capsize.

Emergency response personnel in Tacloban have since taken custody of the fishermen and provided them with medical attention.