Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through its Naval Task Force 61’s 1st Boat Attack Division, conducted rescue and assistance to the crew and passengers of a commercial vessel that caught fire in the early dawn of 30-March-2023.

The commercial vessel named M/V Lady Mary Joy was loaded with 35 crew including master and 205 passengers. The vessel caught fire while underway in the vicinity of 9.3 nautical miles east off LMS Basilan.

Upon receipt of report, the Philippine Navy’s Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts, BA485 and BA487, were immediately dispatched. Upon arrival in the area of the incident, the Navy personnel discovered that the motor vessel on fire was able to beach at Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan. The two (2) Attack Crafts also beached near the distressed vessel and accommodated 67 passengers who needed immediate care and assistance. The vessels brought the rescued crew and passengers back to Ensign Majini Pier for treatment at Camp Navarro General Hospital.

However, out of the reported total 240 crew and passengers, only 138 passengers had been retrieved as of 30-March. There have been 28 confirmed passengers who had perished.

The NFWM and its LMS Pilas team, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, continuously conducted follow-up search and rescue for the remaining passengers.