Coast Guard warns ships vs barge drifting in Palawan waters

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) units are now trying to track down and recover a barge that broke free from the Semirara anchorage area due to big waves Monday. The PCG issued a Notice to Mariners to watch out for the "Big Move" barge, which was said to be drifting toward Palawan in Southern Luzon. At least four crew members, led by skipper Charlie Aguilar, were on board the 3,151-gross ton (945 net tons) barge, the PCG said in a bulletin posted on its website on Tuesday. The PCG said the barge's anchor fluke was broken after strong winds and big waves battered it. The Coast Guard quoted Alexander Bacus, chief mate of the tugboat M/T Marc, as saying they tried to tow the barge to the nearest port but the barge broke free due to big waves and rough seas. "(The crew of the tugboat M/T Marc) tried to tow the said barge to nearest port but due to big waves and rough seas, they had to let go the said barge and returned to Semirara port on January 17, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. to report the incident," the PCG said. "Personnel of CG Detachment Semirara immediately coordinated for available floating assets in the area for the conduct of rescue operations. Notice to Mariners (NOTAM) was likewise sent," the PCG added. – VVP, GMANews.TV