By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur– All 92 passengers and 33 crew members aboard a passenger vessel that caught fire off the waters of Surigao Strait on Saturday afternoon were safely rescued after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mounted a swift maritime response.
The PCG in a social media post on Monday said the incident involved MV Maria Felisa, which suffered an engine-room fire while en route to Lipata Port shortly after leaving Port of Benit on February 1.
Coast Guard Sub-Station Lipata received a distress report at around 1:40 p.m. that smoke and fire had broken out inside the vessel’s engine compartment while it was traversing Surigao Strait. Although the crew managed to contain the blaze, the vessel was rendered dead in the water about 0.85 nautical mile off Bilaa Point, Barangay Punta Bilar, Surigao City.
Responding units immediately deployed rescue assets, including Fast Patrol Boat 151 and High-Speed Response Boat 026, to secure the area and assist the stricken ship. The Coast Guard also coordinated with nearby vessels, prompting MV Maria Vanessa to proceed to the scene to tow the disabled ship, while sister-ship MV Binibining Liloan provided additional assistance.
Under Coast Guard escort, MV Maria Felisa was successfully towed to Lipata Port, where all passengers safely disembarked at around 3:58 p.m., authorities said.
The passengers were assessed onshore by the Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), with support from the PNP Maritime Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Three crew members sustained minor injuries during the incident, the Coast Guard reported. Two crewmen—Arnel Dela Cruz, 25, and Christian Lei Macapagal, 22—suffered first-degree burns and were brought to Caraga Regional Hospital. Another crew member, Dan David Mosa, 22, experienced smoke inhalation but declined hospital transport after receiving first aid.
Initial investigation, based on a statement from vessel master Captain Ric Marasigan and a review of onboard CCTV footage, indicated that the fire originated from overheating in the lube oil filter, which caused elevated temperatures in the engine room.
The Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte said it has coordinated with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office XIII to formally report the incident and determine further action.
No fatalities were reported, and authorities said an inquiry is ongoing to prevent similar incidents.
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