All Passengers Rescued After Ferry Grounding off Occidental Mindoro – 5 April 2026

All passengers and crew were safely evacuated after the Ro-Pax ferry Our Lady of Fatima 03 ran aground off the coast of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, on 5 April 2026. The response was coordinated by the Philippine Coast Guard with assistance from a nearby vessel.

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• The ferry departed Tilik Port bound for Nasugbu, Batangas.
• The vessel ran aground approximately 670 metres from the shoreline shortly after 07:45 a.m. local time.
• Weather and sea conditions were reported as calm to moderate at the time.

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• The vessel was carrying 162 passengers and 8 crew members.
• No cargo was onboard at the time of the incident.

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• The Philippine Coast Guard coordinated evacuation efforts.
• Passengers were transferred to the assisting vessel Princess Christine II.
• All evacuees were transported back to Tilik Port, with disembarkation completed by approximately 09:20 a.m.

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• No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
• No oil discharge or marine pollution was observed.
• The vessel carried approximately 250 litres of diesel and 45 litres of lubricating oil.

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• Initial information from the vessel’s captain suggested the grounding may have been related to shallow conditions during low tide over a rocky seabed.

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• The vessel’s master was instructed to file a marine protest.
• An underwater inspection of the hull was planned to assess potential structural damage.
• The Philippine Coast Guard has initiated a formal investigation into the incident.