MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen Filipino fishermen were rescued after their vessel became stranded within the projected drop zone of China’s rocket launch in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The fishing boat, FB CASSANDRA, suffered a damaged propeller after hitting a floating log and was left adrift roughly 59 nautical miles northeast of Bajo de Masinloc, according to a PCG report on Friday, July 18.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) responded to the distress call and towed the vessel to safety amid rough seas and wind speeds of up to 30 km/h. The PCG emphasized the urgency of the rescue as the boat was located within the potential danger area of China’s rocket test launch, scheduled between July 15 and 17.

The distress call was received at 10:17 AM on July 17, prompting immediate deployment of BRP Teresa Magbanua to the area. Despite wave heights reaching 5 to 6 feet, the vessel managed a steady towing speed of 9.4 knots, bringing FB CASSANDRA toward Mariveles, Bataan.

By 8:00 AM today, the vessel reached the vicinity of Mariveles, where tugboat T/B Lucida took over the final leg of the tow. All 16 crew members were accounted for, with one reported to have a hypertensive condition. The onboard medical team provided immediate treatment.

The PCG reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Filipino fishermen operating in the West Philippine Sea. The agency highlighted the operation as a testament to its “swift and coordinated response” amid heightened tensions in contested waters.