18 rescued after boat suffers water ingress in southern Philippines

A total of 18 people were rescued from a passenger vessel that was in danger of sinking off Basilan province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, January 13.

The motor launch Queen Shaima 3 was sailing from Zamboanga City to Sulu province when it suffered a hull breach, causing water to leak into the engine room at around 04:33 local time while the vessel was off the coast of Isabela City in Basilan.

Marine search and rescue (SAR) teams from the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police were deployed to the area to render assistance.

All four passengers and 14 crew on Queen Shaima 3 were safely rescued and later brought ashore in Isabela City. No injuries have been reported.

The captain told investigators that the water ingress occurred after the boat was struck by a large wave while sailing off Basilan.