19 May 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Belen F. Anota reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that ten Filipino fishermen were rescued from their capsized fishing boat by the Maltese-registered bulk carrier, the MV Dorothea, and the Cyprus-registered cargo ship, MV Shichigahama Maru, on 17 May 2006 at 11:30 p.m. in Indonesian waters while on a voyage from Port Sual to Singapore.

Ambassador Anota said the Embassy immediately communicated with Meffan Trading Corporation, the shipping agency of the MV Dorothea, on the details of the rescue of the Filipino fishermen.

The Captain of MV Dorothea, Tzamalis Spyridon, transmitted a report to Meffan Trading Corporation, a copy of which was forwarded to the Embassy.    Captain Spyridon said that during a voyage from Port Sual to Singapore in Indonesian waters the crew found the capsized fishing boat MNLC 136602 EDMOND at 2330 hrs of 17 May 2006.   MV Dorothea discovered five persons afloat and another five persons in a small boat giving a signal for help.  The weather condition was southwest, six knots with heavy north swell due to Typhoon Changsu.

Captain Spyridon said the nearest vessel in the vicinity was the Cyprus-registered MV Shichigahama Maru that was informed to proceed for the rescue operation.  The Captain added that the ship informed by telephone the Philippine Maritime Rescue Coordination Center on the rescue operation.   MV Dorothea rescued five persons while MV Shichigahama Maru rescued another five persons, all Philippine citizens and apparently in  good health, Captain Spyridon further said in his report.

A detailed investigation by the Captain Spyridon showed that the EDMOND had a total crew of 12 when their fishing boat capsized due to the typhoon.  The 12 Filipino fishermen stayed afloat for six days looking for help.  The report further stated that two Filipino fishermen died in the previous days before the rescue by the two passing cargo ships.

Captain Spyridon said the MV Dorothea has reverted to her original course bound for Singapore where she is expected to arrive at 4:00 p.m. on 22 May 2006 with the five rescued Filipino seafarers.   The Embassy is coordinating with the shipping agent of MV Shichigahama Maru on the sailing details of the ship with the five other rescued Filipino fishermen on board.

Ambassador Anota has the names and details of the next of kin of the five rescued Filipino fishermen on board the MV Dorothea and is now coordinating with the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA), DFA to inform the relatives of the rescued fishermen.   The Ambassador is also awaiting information on the names and other details of the five other Filipino fishermen on board the MV Shichigahama Maru as well as of the two other fishermen who did not survive the sea mishap.

Ambassador Anota requested the Department not to disclose the names of the Filipino fishermen to the media until the Embassy and the OUMWA have informed all the families of the rescued fishermen especially the families of the  two fishermen who perished in the sea.

In the meantime, the Embassy has made arrangements to provide medical check-up/treatment, accommodation, food and airline tickets initially for the five Filipino survivors aboard MV Dorothea when she arrives in Singapore on 22 May 2006 and latter for the five other Filipino survivors aboard MV Shichigahama Maru.  Ambassador Anota informed the Department that the Embassy is trying to book the airline tickets back to the Philippines for the five Filipino fishermen currently on board MV Dorothea for 23 May 2006. END