BFAR supply ship freed after grounding at Hasa-Hasa Shoal
A BFAR vessel ran aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal while delivering fuel subsidies and was later pulled free by a Philippine Coast Guard ship.
On Thursday, the BFAR vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat became stuck on the shoals of Hasa-Hasa in the West Philippine Sea while it was positioning to deliver fuel subsidies to a fleet of Filipino fishing boats. The nearby fishermen tried to pull the ship free, but the combination of low tide and limited pulling power failed. The Philippine Coast Guard responded by sending the patrol boat BRP Malabrigo from Buliluyan Port in Bataraza, Palawan, equipped with divers and a 600-meter towing line.
At approximately 3:34 PM, the Coast Guard crew managed to extract the grounded vessel despite southwesterly winds of 22-27 knots and large waves. During the operation, a China Coast Guard aircraft (tail number 11101) was seen conducting aerial surveillance over the area. The incident occurred as part of the government's Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda Program in the Kalayaan Island Group.
Why it matters
It highlights logistical challenges and geopolitical tension in the contested West Philippine Sea.
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