ZAMBOANGA CITY — A routine patient transfer mission turned into a life-saving maritime rescue after the Lamitan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Sea Ambulance crew rescued a 28-year-old motorbanca operator whose vessel capsized in the waters off Sta. Cruz Island on Saturday evening, July 4.
According to the Lamitan CDRRMO, the MEDIC 1 Sea Ambulance was en route to Zamboanga City to transport a patient when its crew spotted a distress signal from a motorbanca at around 7:25 p.m. The emergency was located approximately three nautical miles from the Port of Zamboanga City along the Basilan-Zamboanga Strait.
Without hesitation, the sea ambulance crew immediately halted its patient transfer mission and made a U-turn to verify the distress signal.
Upon reaching the area, responders found that the motorbanca had already submerged. Its lone operator, identified as Sulaiman Mamangkaw, 28, a resident of Sta. Cruz Island, was overboard and struggling in the water after the vessel capsized around 6:00 p.m.
The rescue team immediately pulled Mamangkaw from the sea, successfully saving his life at approximately 7:28 p.m., just minutes after spotting the distress signal.
Aside from rescuing the victim, the Lamitan CDRRMO team also recovered the submerged motorbanca and towed it safely to the Port of Zamboanga City.
The agency promptly coordinated with the Zamboanga City Port Police and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Zamboanga to ensure the safe turnover of both the rescued operator and the recovered vessel upon arrival at the port. The motorbanca and its operator were subsequently turned over to the Zamboanga City Port Police and the Maritime Police for proper documentation and further investigation.
Lamitan CDRRMO Chief Odiever Torres lauded the MEDIC 1 Sea Ambulance crew for their swift action, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public safety.
“Our sea ambulance was on a patient transfer mission, but when our team saw the distress signal, they immediately responded without hesitation. Saving lives will always be our highest priority. This incident highlights the dedication, vigilance, and commitment of our responders to assist anyone in danger at sea, regardless of the circumstances,” Torres said.
Authorities said the crew’s quick decision to divert from their original mission likely prevented the incident from turning into a maritime tragedy.
The successful rescue also showcased the critical role of the Lamitan CDRRMO Sea Ambulance in safeguarding commuters and sea travelers navigating the busy Basilan-Zamboanga sea corridor, one of the region’s major maritime routes.
Officials reminded all boat operators and fishermen to ensure their vessels are seaworthy, carry life-saving equipment, and immediately report emergencies to maritime authorities to prevent accidents and facilitate faster rescue operations.