Big waves leave 13 fishermen stranded off Zambales

Big waves whipped up by storms "Chedeng" and "Dodong" briefly stranded at least 13 fishermen who were on their way from Batangas to Scarborough Shoal Wednesday.

But radio dzBB reported Thursday morning that the fishermen were expected to return home safely after they managed to repair the engine of their fishing boat "Princess May."

The Coast Guard was about to resume search operations for the boat early Thursday when it got a text message from the boat's captain that they had finished repairs to their ship.

For several hours late Wednesday, the fishing boat was stranded seven miles off San Agustin village in Iba town in Zambales province after being buffeted by huge waves.

Three of the 16-member crew boarded a smaller boat and sought help from the Coast Guard, which rescued them.

A Coast Guard team rushed to the site to attempt a rescue but failed to do so because of the strong waves.

But at 9:30 p.m., the local Coast Guard in the area received a text message indicating the boat's engine had been repaired and would be on its way back. - GMANews.TV