The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) is conducting search and rescue operations following the submergence of passenger-cargo vessel M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 of Aleson Shipping while en route to Jolo, Sulu at around 1:50 a.m. on January 26, 2026.
The vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when the incident occurred approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan.
Initial investigation revealed that M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the Port of Zamboanga City at about 9:20 p.m. on January 25, operating within its authorized maximum passenger capacity of 352 and was not overloaded.
Upon receiving a distress call from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sea marshal onboard, CGDSWM immediately deployed rescue assets, including the 44-meter multi-role response vessel BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) from Zamboanga City. Rescue operations are being reinforced by commercial vessels, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), other government agencies, and local government units.
A nationwide search and rescue operation is ongoing. As of this report, CGDSWM said no oil spill has been observed in the area.
This is a developing story.
