BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two fishermen from Negros Occidental, along with two others, died in a fishing mishap off the coast of Zamboanga City Thursday last week.
Authorities identified the fatalities as 29-year-old Charlie Caspe and 27-year-old Billy Lamag, both residents of Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The boat’s captain, 45-year-old Joseph Oro, also died and so was third mate, 37-year-old Marjon Oro. Both were residents of Zamboanga City.
Based on information provided by the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, around 6 a.m. on Aug. 5 while onboard the F/V Julius 558, the boat’s captain ordered Lamag and the third mate to clean the vessel’s fish storage compartment using a submersible pump.
The two crew were reportedly ordered to remove the accumulated water caused by melted ice mixed with remnants of decomposing fish at the compartment.
As the two were cleaning the compartment, both Lamag and Marjon suddenly experienced difficulty breathing, according to reports.
They shouted for help. The vessel’s captain along with Caspe immediately responded but also reportedly felt sick.
The four were unconscious when discovered by the vessel’s chief engineer.
The chief engineer immediately contacted the operator of the vessel and directed the remaining crew to revive the four individuals.
The vessel went back to port in Zamboanga City to unload the four fishermen, but they were declared “dead on arrival” at the hospital.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) believed the four possibly inhaled noxious gas in the compartment.
Caspe’s sister Lina told Panay News yesterday morning they were making arrangements for his brother’s remains to be transported back to Sagay City.
She said the ship company would extend assistance.
She also presented a copy of Caspe’s Certificate of Death showing that the cause of his demise was acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to toxic inhalation of unknown gas.
The PCG in Zamboanga City, meanwhile, has started an investigation./PN
