After 20 days adrift at sea, the distressed fisherman was found stranded on a small boat by Seri Begawan during her voyage from Gladstone, Australia to Beihai, China. The lookout on duty at the navigation bridge on Seri Begawan, spotted the fisherman. The shipboard team immediately sprang into action, to rescue him from the ordeal.
The rescue mission was coordinated swiftly and upon his rescue, the crew ensured that the fisherman was provided with medical attention and food as well as monitored his medical condition closely. The rescued fisherman was later identified as Roberto De La Cruz, 39, from Surigao City, Philippines. He was apparently lost at sea when his boat was separated from his mother vessel, due to bad weather and had been adrift since then.
Seri Begawan’s Master Captain Manjit Lal contacted the Philippines Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) to alert them of the situation and provided their full cooperation for the safe repatriation of Roberto. At the advice of the Philippines Coast Guard, he was disembarked at a location close to the Philippines coast the next day and Seri Begawan resumed her voyage to China.
MISC president and group ceo Yee Yang Chien said: “The safety of anyone at sea is the responsibility of all members of the maritime community. I am very proud of the courage and determination that has been demonstrated by the crew of Seri Begawan to rescue Mr Roberto and with the support and cooperation of the Philippines MRCC, we are able to ensure his successful and safe return. Safety is always at the top of our priority and MISC's seafarers regularly undergo various types of training including on saving lives at sea to ensure that we are always ready to provide our support whenever it is needed."
Seri Begawan's effort in saving the life of Roberto was recognised by the Philippines Coast Guard who presented the crew with a Letter of Commendation for their exemplary humanitarian action.
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