In a distressing maritime incident, the cargo ship MV Jerlyn Khatness sank off the coast of Northern Samar, leading to the rescue of 10 crew members while 5 others remain unaccounted for. The incident occurred on Monday, December 30, 2024, near Balicuatro village in Lavezares town, as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old vessel, which was transporting cement, had set sail from Naga City, Cebu, and was headed towards San Jose, Northern Samar. According to the PCG Northern Samar station, the ship encountered severe sea conditions and was overwhelmed by large waves, leading to its sinking around 2:30 p.m.
Efforts to locate the missing crew members are currently underway, with assistance from nearby vessels. The PCG has urged all mariners to report any sightings of the missing crew or related debris to the nearest Coast Guard station. Additionally, the PCG has issued advisories for ships and watercraft in the Northern Samar area to exercise caution.
The MV Jerlyn Khatness, constructed in 1993, has a gross tonnage of 199, as per vesseltracking.net.