A bulk carrier managed by Wallem Group rescued two Filipino fishermen from a sinking fishing boat near the Babuyan Islands off the Philippines, while the vessel was on a voyage from Australia to Vietnam.
The crew spotted the distressed fishing boat at about 08:35 local time in May, and Wallem said the fishermen were waving for assistance as their vessel encountered difficulties. Under the direction of the ship’s master, the bulk carrier stopped and launched its rescue boat.
Coal-carrying voyage supports the rescue effort
The bulk carrier was carrying 80,000 tonnes of coal from Abbot Point, Australia to Cam Pha, Vietnam when the incident occurred. After the rescue, the bulk carrier proceeded to a rendezvous point where the fishermen were transferred to a Philippine Coast Guard high-speed response vessel.
All-Chinese crew recovery and handover
The two fishermen were safely recovered and brought aboard in an operation carried out by the vessel’s all-Chinese crew. Wallem directed the ship’s response through the master-led launch of the rescue boat, followed by the handover to Coast Guard responders at the rendezvous point.
Wallem and Coast Guard praise operational execution
Subramanian Rajagopal, Marine & Safety Director at Wallem Group, said the rescue was a testament to the crew’s strong seamanship, effective training, and commitment to safety at sea. Rajagopal added that the rescue ensured that decisive action was taken swiftly when lives were at risk. A Coast Guard representative said they appreciated the Captain and the Wallem team for their professional guidance throughout the operation.
What Wallem does beyond ship operations
Wallem Group provides maritime services including asset management, crewing, training, ship management, safety and compliance management, and agency services.