LAOAG CITY – A cargo ship ran aground in the coast of Basco, Batanes, Sunday night, immediately mobilizing Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel to rescue its crew of 13 before dawn Monday.

“It was 10:12 p.m. of Sunday when M/V Ivatan was battered by big waves at the pier in Basco so the captain decided to lower the anchor. But at 2:30 a.m., the anchor’s line broke off and the ship ran aground,” said Coast Guard Maritime Safety Services Officer Allan dela Vega.

Dela Vega, who had been alerted of the situation since Sunday night, sent a rescue team of the PCG District North Luzon, based at Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union.

Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, announced by noon yesterday that all 13 crew members of the 170-ton cargo vessel were rescued.

Upon receiving the report, Admiral Wilfredo G. Tamayo, PCG commandant, ordered the ship’s captain to submit a report and sent a Coast Guard team to conduct an aerial survey of the site.

Dela Vega explained that Tamayo was concerned over a possible oil spill if the ship damage reached its fuel tank.

“We are monitoring the situation and we will be ready to clean up a possible oil spill,” Dela Vega said. (With a report from John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)