Philippine Coast Guard Technical Divers Retrieve Five More Victims from Sunken Vessel in Basilan
In a somber underwater operation, technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully recovered five additional cadavers from the wreckage of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3. This critical mission took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, located within the municipality of Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan province.
Rising Toll and Recovery Details
This latest recovery effort has significantly increased the confirmed death toll from the maritime tragedy. The total number of fatalities now stands at 51 individuals, while 316 passengers and crew members survived the initial sinking incident. The Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) provided specific details about the victims, confirming that the recovered remains included two adult females, two minors, and one adult male.
According to the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), the five cadavers were discovered within the vessel's portside economy accommodation area. This section of the ship was a focal point during the dive operation, as search teams worked meticulously to locate and retrieve victims from the sunken structure.
Meticulous Planning and Execution
Prior to entering the water, the PCG Technical Diving Group (TDG) conducted a comprehensive pre-dive briefing at 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning. This essential meeting reviewed all safety protocols, established clear operational objectives, and defined precise dive parameters for the challenging mission ahead. The preparation emphasized the hazardous conditions and the need for extreme caution throughout the recovery process.
Four PCG technical divers initiated the search and recovery dive operations at an approximate depth of 180 feet. Their primary focus was the first-deck economy accommodation area of the vessel, where they systematically conducted their search. The CGDSWM released an official statement detailing these operations, highlighting the technical complexity and risks involved in such deep-water recoveries.
Post-Recovery Procedures and Ongoing Efforts
Once recovered, the remains were immediately secured and transported with care to the Port of Zamboanga. There, in coordination with the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ZCDRRMO), the victims will undergo proper identification processes and subsequent disposition arrangements. This coordination ensures that families receive closure and that all procedures follow established protocols for maritime incidents.
This operation marked only the second instance where PCG technical divers have been able to physically enter the ill-fated vessel. The first entry occurred on Monday, February 9, when divers accessed the bridge of the sunken ship. These entries represent significant milestones in the recovery efforts, allowing for more thorough searches of the wreckage.
The CGDSWM has confirmed that underwater operations will continue in the coming days. Priority remains firmly on diver safety, maintaining strict operational discipline, and showing utmost respect for the victims and their grieving families. Each dive is conducted with these principles at the forefront, balancing the need for recovery with the inherent dangers of deep-sea operations.
Background of the Maritime Tragedy
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank on January 26, approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan province. At the time of the maritime incident, the vessel was en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu, carrying passengers and cargo across the Sulu Sea. The sinking has since become one of the region's most significant maritime disasters, prompting extensive search, rescue, and recovery operations by multiple agencies.
