Fifty-one passengers were rescued this morning after a motorbanca nearly sank between Caubian and Caw-oy, Olango Island. The boat, identified as MBCA Sto. Niño, was headed to Brgy. Caw-oy around 10 a.m. when it was battered by strong waves and winds, causing a hole in the hull and allowing water to flood in.
Rescue teams from multiple agencies—including the Cebu City Maritime Police Station, Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 1, Lapu-Lapu City Rescue, the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Lapu-Lapu, and the Bureau of Fire Protection Lapu-Lapu City Rescuer—responded swiftly. Working together, they managed to save all passengers before the vessel could fully submerge.
Among those rescued were seven children (five girls and two boys) and a 70-year-old man, with passengers ranging in age from 2 to 70 years old. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident and whether the boat complied with maritime safety regulations.
This incident underscores the critical importance of maritime safety and the life-saving efforts of rescue teams. The community remains deeply grateful for their quick response, which prevented what could have been a tragic disaster at sea.
