The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to a maritime incident report and conducted a successful rescue operation at the Pacific Ocean approximately 140 nautical miles off Daku Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, on January 25, 2023.
The PCG rescued a U.S. citizen on board the distressed watercraft named “MI AMOR” which broke its propeller and reported to have sustained a leak and was slowly taking in water during its voyage from Palau to the Philippines.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio M. Abu said that the U.S. Coast Guard Sector-Guam called for assistance and immediately coordinated with the PCG-manned Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Manila.
“We assured the U.S. Coast Guard Sector-Guam that we will render appropriate assistance to the skipper of “MI AMOR”, Dan Michaels, and ensure that he will return home in good physical condition,” Abu stated.
“The operation is part of our Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (AMSAR) agreement with the U.S. signed in July 2021 to enhance our effectiveness in mutually assisting persons and vessels in distress at our adjacent waters.”
The distressed watercraft and its skipper were secured and properly assisted at Alegria, Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte.
Palau, an island nation in the Pacific, is a U.S. jurisdiction. It shares a maritime border with the Philippines at the latter’s eastern seaboard.
