The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued all eight crew of a small cargo boat on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The boat, M/B Rose Marie 1, partly sank near Dalupiri Island. This island is part of Calayan town in Cagayan province, in the far north of the Philippines. The coast guard gave the details in a statement on 1 November.
Rose Marie 1 is a motorised banca. This is a wooden boat with side floats, common in the Philippines. The captain was one of the eight crew. The boat was carrying livestock and livestock products from Calayan to Claveria, on the main island of Luzon.
How the rescue worked
Coast Guard Station Calayan sent rescue teams after it heard the boat was in trouble. The teams found all eight crew. Five crew were taken first to the shore at Barangay Magsidel. A second team on the boat M/B Lagadan 1 picked up the other three, GMA News reports.
All eight went to the Calayan Rural Health Unit for a medical check. One crew member had a cut on the right knee. Three were checked for possible high blood pressure.
What caused it is not clear yet
Reports give different early reasons. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said early reports point to rough seas and livestock that moved on board. Six of the 11 animals on the boat died, Philstar reports. A local news site, citing the Inquirer, said the boat had engine trouble and took in water. GMA News said the coast guard report did not give a cause.
Rescuers tried to tow the boat, but the heavy cargo made it hard. The half-sunk boat was left near Dalupiri Island, and responders planned to try again on 1 November, Philnews reports. The coast guard did not stop sea travel in the area. It said the waves were still at a safe height.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine ship safety regulator, suspended the boat's safety certificates. The boat cannot sail until it passes a safety inspection. On the same day, the fast ferry OceanJet 788 lost power while docking at Tagbilaran, Bohol. MARINA suspended its certificates too.
What crews of small cargo boats can do
Check the weather and sea forecast before you leave. The weather can change fast at this time of year.
Tie down livestock and heavy cargo well. Cargo or animals that move to one side can make a small boat lean and take in water.
Do not overload the boat. Keep the freeboard, the height of the side above the water, as the boat's papers allow.
Wear a life jacket on deck in bad weather. Keep enough life jackets for everyone on board.
Call the coast guard as soon as water comes in or the engine fails. Give your position and the number of people on board.
Check the engine and pumps before each trip. Carry a working radio or phone in a waterproof bag.
Cover photo: A Philippine Coast Guard small boat during a search and rescue exercise, 14 October 2026. The patrol ship BRP Suluan is behind it. The photo is illustrative and was not taken during this rescue. Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class Trinity Whalen, U.S. Coast Guard, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Sources: Philstar, 1 Nov 2026: 8 crew rescued after banca partially submerges off Cagayan, Philstar, 1 Nov 2026: 2 vessels barred from sailing after Cagayan, Bohol mishaps, GMA News, 1 Nov 2026: PCG rescues 8 from half-submerged boat off Cagayan, Philnews, 1 Nov 2026: 8 crew members rescued after cargo boat partially sinks off Calayan, Cagayan.
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