By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A total of 11 crewmen of a dredger barge were rescued after their vessel sank off the coast of Anjouan Island, part of Barangay Cartagena in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Commander Ludovico Librilla, Jr., said the vessel left Albuera, Leyte last December 9 for San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

While en route, the captain noticed the barge was slowly filling with water. However, instead of returning, under the impression the water entering the vessel was “not serious,” the captain continued with the voyage.

Upon reaching the coast of Sipalay City, the barge began to sink and the captain called for a tugboat to push the vessel toward safer waters.

However, the barge eventually sank.

Librilla added, PCG is investigating the incident./DGB, WDJ