Germans, Australian rescued after boat capsizes

MANILA, Philippines – Two German tourists and an Australian have been rescued following two days in the sea off Marinduque island after their boat capsized while they were island hopping, the coast guard said Friday, December 21.

Ralf Harald Auer, 54, his son Thomas Auer, 20, and Australian family friend, Joshua Marsh, were taken to hospital and treated for bruises and dehydration before being released, said Chief Petty Officer Venerando Celis.

All 3 of the men are based in Australia, he said.

The Filipino who was piloting the small boat — the sole crew member — was missing after he attempted to swim ashore to seek help when the vessel was knocked over by huge waves in the Sibuyan Sea on Tuesday, he said.

The Germans and Australian were rescued Thursda, December 20, by a passing freighter which found the men clinging to the outrigger of their capsized boat and took them to the central port of Iloilo, Celis said.

“They were weakened by lack of food and having been in the water for two days and two nights,” the officer said, adding that a notice had been issued for boats to be on the lookout for the missing Filipino.

The accident occurred as the boat attempted a 40-kilometer crossing to Marinduque island, where Ralf Harald Auer’s Philippine wife comes from, said Celis. – Rappler.com