On Monday morning, the tugboat SL Sual 1 capsized just off the coast of western Luzon, prompting its crew to abandon ship mere yards from the shore. The vessel had been intentionally grounded near the Bucao River in Barangay Bangan, Zambales, on August 14 to prevent it from sinking after sustaining hull damage and flooding in the engine room, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). A salvage operation was initiated, and a second tug was dispatched to assist in towing it back to safety.
The refloat operation commenced around 7:45 AM when a loud banging sound was heard, indicating potential contact with an underwater obstruction. Shortly after, SL Sual 1 began to list heavily to starboard, and it soon became evident that the tug was on the verge of capsizing. The crew, consisting of ten personnel, successfully abandoned the vessel by jumping into the water as it slowly rolled over.
Within seconds, the tugboat began to sink, with its stern submerging and its bow rising skyward. The bow disappeared below the surface in less than two minutes after the crew had evacuated. The PCG reported that the tugboat contained approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and spill response equipment was positioned nearby to address any potential pollution. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident, particularly whether the tugboat collided with remnants of a previous shipwreck, leading to its hull damage.
