4 Norwegians rescued after yacht drifts off Catanduanes
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued on Saturday four Norwegian nationals in a yacht that had drifted off Cabugao Bay in Virac, Catanduanes.
In a statement on Sunday, the PCG reported that its coast guard station in Catanduanes received a distress call from “SY Nora Simrad” sailboat, leading to a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
But intermittent radio contact and limited visibility made it hard to spot the vehicle, and the PCG asked the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 5 to conduct aerial surveillance.
After the PAF found the yacht’s position, it informed the Coast Guard, which dispatched the tugboat M/T Iriga from Legazpi Port to tow the yacht.
All four Norwegians were examined by the Coast Guard Medical Station Bicol and found to be in good health, according to the PCG which did not explain what caused the yacht to drift.
