DAVAO CITY — Two fishermen were safely rescued after their motorized banca suffered engine failure while navigating rough sea conditions off Barangay 21-C Coastal Road on the evening of May 11, 2026, in a swift search and rescue operation conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) confirmed that the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Davao received an urgent distress call relayed through the 911 Davao emergency system, reporting a small motorized banca stranded at sea with two individuals on board due to engine trouble.
Acting immediately on the report, response teams from CGS Davao, the Coast Guard Substation (CGSS) Sta. Ana, and the Special Operations Unit (SOU) Davao launched a coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. The team deployed a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) despite worsening sea conditions and limited visibility brought by darkness.
Rescue personnel navigated challenging waters during the operation, prioritizing precision and safety as they searched the area where the distressed vessel was last reported. After sustained search efforts, the team successfully located the stranded banca and reached the two fishermen, who were already experiencing difficulty at sea due to the vessel’s mechanical failure and rough wave conditions.
Both fishermen were safely brought aboard the rescue craft without any reported injuries or complications. The distressed motorized banca was later secured and towed to Sta. Ana Wharf, where both the vessel and its occupants arrived safely.
Authorities confirmed that no untoward incidents occurred during the entire operation.
The Philippine Coast Guard credited the successful rescue to the rapid coordination between emergency responders and maritime units, emphasizing the importance of timely distress reporting and inter-agency communication in saving lives at sea.
Officials also reiterated their advisory for small fishing vessels to regularly check engine conditions and avoid sailing during adverse weather or rough sea conditions to prevent similar incidents.