In the early hours of Friday, November 8, 2024, two Chinese vessels found themselves stranded on the shores of Currimao, Ilocos Norte, as Typhoon Marce, known internationally as Yinxing, unleashed its fury with powerful winds and towering waves. The ships, MV Aries 1 and LCT PanPhil 8, were initially anchored at the Currimao port but were forcefully dragged into shallow waters by the storm’s relentless force.
Lt. Joseph Christian Sagun, the station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in Ilocos Norte, reported that both vessels, although Chinese-owned, were staffed entirely by Filipino crews. MV Aries 1, carrying five crew members, had been stationed at the port for five months, while LCT PanPhil 8, with 15 crew members, had only arrived the previous week. Both ships were in the process of being converted into domestic traders, awaiting certification from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The crew of MV Aries 1 attempted to maneuver the vessel away from its original position around 1:30 a.m., but the engine failed, leading to the ship being swept onto the shoreline of Barangay Victoria. Similarly, LCT PanPhil 8’s anchor gave way during the peak of the typhoon, with the vessel being pushed onto the Barangay Gaang shoreline.
Authorities are currently vigilant about potential oil leaks from the stranded ships. The local government of Currimao has been in contact with the crew members, who have requested bottled water to sustain themselves during this ordeal.