Malaysia's hijacked tug and barge found, crew rescued
A Malaysian-flagged tug and barge combo hijacked in the Philippines have been found and the crew rescued, Seatrade Asia online reports.
The owners of the tug and barge Woodman 38 and Woodman 39 lost contact with the vessels on 27 July while a on voyage from East Malaysia to Indonesia.
The 12 crew from the vessel were rescued on 31 July from two life rafts by Philippine authorities in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
On 4 August two vessels matching the description of the missing tug and barge were reported to have been found at Gensan Shipyard in the Philippines. “The shipyard manager reported that Woodman 38 and Woodman 39 were in distress and drifting off Gensan shipyard on 31 July at or about 1700hrs,” a report from ReCAAP ISC said. The six crew onboard the vessels were reported to have fled during the operation.
The vessels have been take in custody by the Philippines coastguard and the tug had been renamed Odi.