The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through its Technical Diving Group (TDG), has completed a full underwater search of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 after nearly a month of complex and high-risk deep-water operations off the waters near Baluk-Baluk Island.
Authorities said the operation, which lasted 27 days and concluded on February 23, 2026, led to the recovery of 22 cadavers from different sections of the vessel. The extensive search effort involved technical wreck diving under dangerous underwater conditions.
According to Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Commander Commodore Rejard Marfe, the recovery mission began on January 28 and required divers to navigate powerful underwater currents, extremely low visibility, and unstable sections of the submerged vessel.
“PCG technical divers worked through strong underwater currents, near-zero visibility due to heavy siltation, submerged hazards, and the vessel’s structural instability during the recovery operations,” Marfe said.
Despite the risks, the PCG Technical Diving Group systematically inspected multiple sections of the vessel, including Deck A, Deck B, the car deck, and the engine room. Divers also checked vehicles that were onboard at the time of the incident, which added to the complexity of the operation.
The engine room was among the most challenging areas to penetrate due to oil contamination and scattered debris that significantly reduced visibility underwater. These conditions required divers to proceed cautiously while conducting detailed searches inside the wreck.
Underwater assessments revealed that the vessel is currently listing toward its port side, or left side. Authorities reported that both exposed portions of the hull, including the vessel’s ramps, remain intact and show no visible external fractures.
However, inside the car deck, several vehicles had partially collapsed and shifted toward the left side of the ship, creating blockages and making interior access more difficult for the divers conducting the search.
Although the full search of the vessel has now been completed, the PCG said diving operations will continue until February 26, 2026. The additional dives will focus on re-swiping procedures—final verification checks to ensure that no area of the wreck has been overlooked.
Marfe emphasized that the continued operation aims to provide certainty and closure to the families of the victims who have been waiting for answers since the vessel sank.
All diving activities were documented through underwater video recordings, which authorities said will support the ongoing investigation into the maritime incident.
The PCG noted that the operation is among the most challenging deep-water technical diving missions conducted in the region, highlighting the risks faced by rescue divers and the complexity involved in underwater recovery efforts.