One Dead after Grounding in the Philippines

20 Filipino seafarers were rescued from a Singaporean-flagged ship that ran aground on Friday one nautical mile off Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, in the Philippines.

The 231 gross tonnage Alam Manis was reportedly battered by huge swells that drenched its nickel ore cargo, causing the vessel to lose its stability until it listed and eventually grounded.

Alam Manis was enroute to China when the incident occurred.

Two of the 21 crew were earlier reported missing, one of whom was identified as C/M Henry Libo-on who passed away due to heart attack.

Meanwhile, the rest of the 20 seafarers were successfully rescued by the escort tug Salviscount and ferried to the port of San Fernando, La Union. 

According to Ng Cock Soon, manager of PSM Perkapalan Sdn, Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Bulk Carriers, the survivors were brought to San Fernando where their families were waiting.

No signs of oil spill were found where Alam Manis ran aground, but oil spill boom equipment was provided by the Philippine Coast Guard as a precaution.