The seven-member crew of a distressed pump boat in the waters between Romblon and Oriental Mindoro have been rescued, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on August 23.

The officers and crew of MB Alad Express 1 were plucked from the waters between the islands of Sibale and Simara in Romblon on August 22 after the boat developed an engine trouble, the NDRRMC said.

Super Radyo dzBB reported that the boat’s lower deck also began to take on water, forcing the crew members to throw into the water their cargo, including 400 LPG tanks.

On August 21, the Coast Guard Sub-station in Pinalamayan, Oriental Mindoro informed its counterpart in Concepcion, Romblon about the incident. The captain made a distress call at 5:20 p.m. that day.

A search and rescue operation was then conducted by coast guard officers of Concepcion and members of the maritime police.

The rescued men are boat captain Tony Tome, boat mechanic Ricky Mariveles, and crew members Jonathan Mirabite, Johnrey Aguilar, Ronron Musa, Reymart Rapiz and ohn Paul Marquez. They were reported missing on August 21.

The Banton police station took custody of the rescued men.