Fifteen Filipino seafarers who survived the capsizing of the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Devon Bay were received by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday in a mid-sea handover with the China Coast Guard (CCG), as search operations continued for four crew members still missing in the West Philippine Sea.
The survivors, along with the remains of two deceased crew members, were transferred west of Tambobong, Pangasinan aboard PCG vessels, closing a fraught chapter in a maritime disaster that unfolded near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc).
Mid-Sea Handover After Days of Uncertainty
The handover took place roughly 168 nautical miles west of Pangasinan, following days of coordination between Philippine and Chinese maritime authorities. According to the PCG, both sides used rigid-hull inflatable boats due to rough sea conditions.
“The Filipino survivors were transferred using the rigid-hull inflatable boats from both vessels due to the significant wave conditions in the area,” said PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab.
The survivors were brought aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), which was scheduled to arrive at Pier 13, Port Area, Manila in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026. The remains of the two deceased seafarers were also repatriated for turnover to their families.
A Cargo Voyage Ends in Disaster
The M/V Devon Bay, a 190-metre dry bulk carrier built in 2013 with a capacity of 56,000 deadweight tons, was carrying iron ore from Gutalac, Zamboanga to ports in China’s Guangdong region when it ran into trouble.
On the evening of Thursday, January 22, the vessel issued a distress call reporting a dangerous 25-degree list at sea. Its last known position was about 262 kilometres off Sab Point, Bolinao Bay—well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
By the following day, the ship had capsized near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the South China Sea. All 21 crew members were Filipino.
Rescue Efforts and Conflicting Early Reports
The CCG initially reported rescuing 10 crew members, a figure later revised to 17. Of these, 14 were said to be in stable condition, one required emergency medical treatment, and two were declared dead.
PCG officials publicly expressed gratitude to their Chinese counterparts for the humanitarian assistance, while stressing that Philippine vessels and aircraft remained actively involved in the response.
“The PCG thanks the CCG for the humanitarian assistance it extended to the crew of the Devon Bay,” Captain Cayabyab said.
Search Continues for Four Missing Seafarers
As of Monday, four crew members remained unaccounted for. The PCG has deployed the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-440) and maritime patrol aircraft to scour the area, while the Philippine Navy and CCG are also continuing parallel search and rescue operations.
The search zone lies along one of Southeast Asia’s busiest sea lanes—a reminder, maritime officials say, of how quickly routine cargo voyages can turn perilous.
Investigation Led by Singapore as Flag State
The vessel is owned by a Singapore subsidiary of Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line). Under international maritime rules, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, as the flag-state authority, will lead the formal investigation into the cause of the capsizing.
Key questions include cargo stability, weather conditions and whether the ship may have suffered a structural or loading failure while transiting open waters.
A Stark Reminder for Filipino Seafarers
Beyond the geopolitics of where the ship went down, the incident has resonated deeply in the Philippines, home to thousands of overseas Filipino seafarers whose remittances sustain an estimated 1.8 million households.
For families in coastal provinces and port cities from Zamboanga to Manila, the disaster underlines the risks faced by seafarers who keep global trade moving—often far from home, and in waters where nature and politics can be unforgiving.
As the search for the missing continues, the safe return of the survivors offers a measure of relief, but not closure, for families still waiting for answers on the open sea.
