Grounded Chinese Ship Removed from Tubbataha Reef
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Corrigedor attempting to pull the Chinese fishing vessel off the Tubbataha Reefs on 13 April 2013. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard.)
Chinese fishing vessel F/V Min Long Yu on Friday afternoon was successfully towed and removed from its grounding site near the northern isle of Tubbataha Reef.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said that around 2:20 p.m. the vessel that ran aground last week was satisfactory extracted from its grounding position by Malayan Towage tugboat M/T Limay.
Rear Admiral Isorena said PCG divers will conduct underwater hull inspection for any damages prior to the fishing vessel’s towing from the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Once the F/V Min Long Yu is cleared, it will be immediately towed to Puerto Princesa City where detailed vessel inspection will be conducted particularly on the discovered frozen anteaters beneath the cargo hold section.
Rear Admiral Isorena said that all pieces of evidence which will be gathered and collected by the investigation team will be turned over to the Philippine Council for Illegal Entrants who is in-charge of filing charges against the 12 crew member of the said foreign vessels.
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