September 27, 2025 | News by Coastal Guard District Southern Tagalog
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: Philippine Coast Guard is continuously monitoring four separate agrounding incidents in the vicinity waters off Barangays Tabinay and Poblacion, Puerto Galera, following adverse weather conditions brought by Severe Tropical Storm โOpongโ on 26 September 2025.
At approximately 2:30 PM, Barge BIG JOY, a non-propelled cargo vessel with no fuel or cargo onboard, ran aground on a rocky seabed while seeking shelter from rough seas. All eight crew members were confirmed safe. A tugboat, has been arranged to tow the vessel once weather conditions improve.
Shortly after, at around 1:00 PM, PCG personnel observed another vessel aground in the same vicinityโlater identified as Barge JULIENNE. The barge, carrying approximately 3,000 sacks of rice and a crane, had departed Bolo, Batangas en route to Botolan, Zambales. It drifted ashore after its mooring ropes broke due to strong winds. All four crew members are safe and in good physical condition.
At 1:50 PM, MV JUNE ASTER, a passenger/cargo vessel operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., was also found aground approximately 30 meters from the shoreline of Brgy. Poblacion. The vessel was carrying 14,400 liters of automotive diesel fuel and rolling cargoes, including vehicles and equipment. All 16 crew members onboard were reported safe, with no passengers present. Initial assessments revealed no signs of oil spill.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 6:00 PM, CGSS Puerto Galera personnel identified a fourth vessel aground about 1 nautical mile from the previous incidents. The vessel was confirmed to be Barge BIG GLORY, a non-propelled cargo barge carrying approximately 10 cubic meters (3.5 tons) of sand aggregates. The barge had departed Mabini, Batangas bound for Navotas, Manila, and was sheltering in the area when its anchor cable broke due to strong waves, causing it to drift toward the shoreline of Sitio Big Tabinay, Brgy. Tabinay. All eight crew members were confirmed safe and in good physical condition.
The Coast Guard Sub-Station Puerto Galera has coordinated with the Local Government Unit, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and other relevant agencies to assess the environmental impact of the incidents.
The PCG, in partnership with Bantay Dagat Puerto Galera, assures the public that close monitoring, environmental inspections, and appropriate safety measures are being undertaken to mitigate any potential impact while awaiting for proper marine services to safely extract those vessel.