(UPDATE) PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) divers have successfully entered the sunken passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, as underwater assessment and recovery operations intensified off the coast of Basilan.
Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao commander Commo. Rejard Marfe said divers from the PCG Technical Diving Group safely accessed the submerged ferry following the earlier confirmation of its location about 1.8 nautical miles off Baluk-Baluk Island.
In a statement, the PCG said the divers positively identified the wreck after clearly reading the vessel’s name, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, marked on the ship’s hull.
Marfe said the divers inspected the interior of the vessel as part of the ongoing underwater assessment operations.
He added that two bodies were recovered on Wednesday, both of which were retrieved from the vessel’s railings, bringing the total death toll to 45. The number of survivors remains at 316.
The PCG said dive operations are being conducted in accordance with an approved dive plan, with the objective of determining the vessel’s condition and supporting possible additional recovery efforts.
MV Trisha Kerstin 3 departed from the Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu, on the evening of Jan. 25, but sank in Basilan waters on Jan. 26.
Following the sinking, the Department of Transportation grounded the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, the vessel’s operator, as authorities launched a maritime safety and inspection audit.
