MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — A fisherman died while aboard a fishing boat that was making its way back to Mati City from fishing grounds about 130 nautical miles from the Mati Wharf, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to assist in the safe recovery and turnover of his body on September 5, 2026.
Personnel of the Coast Guard Station Davao Oriental (CGSDO) and Coast Guard Sub-Station Mati (CGSS Mati) provided maritime assistance after receiving information that a crew member aboard FB LB AARON-12 had died while the vessel was returning to shore.
According to initial information provided to authorities, the fisherman experienced abdominal pain on September 4, a day before his death. The condition was reportedly believed to be associated with a peptic ulcer.
Despite the reported illness, the fishing banca continued its journey toward Mati City from its fishing grounds, located approximately 130 nautical miles from the Mati Wharf.
The fisherman was reported to have died on September 5 while the vessel was still at sea.
Upon receiving the report, CGSS Mati immediately coordinated with personnel of the Mati Port Management Office (PPA) to facilitate the fishing boat’s arrival and ensure that appropriate assistance would be available once the vessel reached port.
The Coast Guard also coordinated with El Raphael Funeral Homes for the proper handling and disposition of the deceased.
The operation underscored the challenges faced by fishermen who spend extended periods at sea, often operating far from immediate access to medical facilities and emergency services.
For fishing crews working dozens or even hundreds of nautical miles from shore, illness can quickly become a serious maritime emergency because of the distance from hospitals and other medical facilities. In this case, the fishing vessel had to make its way back toward Mati City after the crew member became ill, but he died before reaching shore.
The Coast Guard’s response focused on ensuring that the vessel could return safely and that the deceased fisherman could be properly received and turned over to the appropriate authorities and funeral service provider upon arrival.
The incident also highlights the importance of preparedness, communication and timely coordination among fishing communities, port authorities, maritime responders and emergency service providers, particularly when vessels are operating in distant fishing grounds.
The PCG said its personnel remain committed to providing maritime assistance, humanitarian support and emergency response to fishermen and other maritime communities within its area of responsibility.
The circumstances surrounding the fisherman’s death, including the exact medical cause, were not further detailed in the initial report. Authorities likewise did not release the identity of the deceased.
The body was subsequently coordinated for proper disposition through the funeral service provider, while the Coast Guard facilitated the maritime assistance needed during the fishing boat’s return to Mati City.