The Philippine Coast Guard has launched a search for 15 recreational divers and crew members after their boat capsized off Sarangani province on Monday afternoon, January 19. The patrol boat BRP Malamawi was initially deployed to the last coordinates from the dive boat MBCA Amejara. As of Tuesday morning, January 20, authorities continue searching the area where a text message from the passengers was traced.
In Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, the incident began on Sunday night, January 18, when the boat departed from Santa Ana port bound for Governor Generoso town. It left Governor Generoso the following afternoon. The MBCA Amejara carried 11 divers and four crew members when last seen off Sarangani province, according to Lieutenant Regino Libres, commander of the Coast Guard station in Davao Occidental.
Libres said he ordered Coast Guard stations in Balut Island, Jose Abad Santos, and Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental to monitor the area and assist any survivors. Apprentice Lei Brosas of the Coast Guard in Davao noted that the passengers were clinging to the overturned hull and sent a text message on Monday afternoon.
As of Tuesday, there were no signs of the missing boat. Additional assets were deployed: the landing craft BRP Tagbanua left General Santos City on Monday night and is conducting maritime patrol and search operations off Davao Occidental, focusing on waters near Don Marcelino and Santa Maria. The patrol ship BRP Artemio Ricarte departed Davao City early Tuesday, while the vessel BA491 is underway northeast of Botak Point, Malita, Davao Occidental. A Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft has joined the search, performing maritime surveillance and reconnaissance over Davao Gulf.
The operation continues to locate the missing individuals, highlighting the authorities' swift response to maritime emergencies.