19 CREWS OF SUNK VESSEL RESCUED IN ORAS

ORAS, Easter Samar- M/V Hera, a 110.15 meter-length cargo vessel with 19 crews (4 Koreans and 15 Filipinos) aboard shrunk in the Pacific Ocean at about a distance of 10 nautical miles east of Samar Island at 6pm of Sept 6. The vessel came from Papua New Guinea bound for China loaded with 5,800 cu. m. of round logs. The 19 crews decided to abandon the vessel when they were struck by huge and strong waves at 4pm. They reached Tubabao Island of Municipality of Oras at 6am of the following day using their 2 life boats.

Authorities of Philippine Army, PNP and Coastguard were alarmed of the lost ship with crews within the periphery of Oras. Through the joint efforts of 14^th Infantry (AVENGER) Battalion, under LTC JAIME FERNANDO R HIDALGO INF (GSC) PA, Mayor Neil Alvarez of Oras municipality, PNP, Coastguard and fisher folks, the stranded crews were traced, rescued and brought to Oras town proper at 10:30am. At 1145 same day, Four (4) Helicopters of Phil Air Force airlifted the rescued crews from Headquarters, 14IB to Central Command, AFP in Cebu for further dispositive action.