THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has stepped up search and rescue (SAR) operations for the remaining missing passengers of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 by deploying technical divers and utilizing a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in Basilan waters.
PCG Spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the move is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to locate the vessel and those still unaccounted for.
“PCG Technical Divers were dispatched to conduct underwater search operations in identified areas of interest, while the ROV was employed to assist in deep-water inspections and enhance search capabilities in areas that pose risks to human divers,” Cayabyab said.
The use of advanced underwater technology allows the PCG to survey submerged areas safely and efficiently, especially in challenging sea conditions with limited visibility. The ROV provides critical visual data to guide ongoing search operations and support operational decision-making.
Following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the PCG affirmed its commitment to exhausting all available resources in the search and rescue mission, prioritizing the safety of lives at sea and its mandate to protect the country’s maritime domain.