1 passenger of sunken motorbanca recovered alive in Indonesian Waters ; 4 still missing
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) has received confirmation from its Indonesian counterpart regarding the successful recovery of one of the passengers from the distressed MBCA Quessel-J in the vicinity of Kamboreng Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on May 31, 2026.
The survivor, identified as Mr. Jeboy Masalta, was reportedly sighted by a local fisherman at approximately 4:00 a.m. while stranded on Kamboreng Island. Local residents immediately responded and safely recovered the survivor before transporting him to Kawio Island for initial medical assessment and care.
Based on the survivor's account, a total of five persons were onboard MBCA Quessel-J prior to the maritime incident. The whereabouts of the remaining four crew members remain unknown.
Following the recovery of Mr. Masalta, local authorities and residents initiated search efforts in the surrounding waters and nearby islands for possible additional survivors.
During the conduct of the search, the distressed MBCA Quessel-J was located between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time. The vessel was found with damage on its port side and partially flooded before being towed ashore to Kawio Island.
According to reports, Masalta is experiencing physical exhaustion and psychological distress but remains hopeful that his four companions may still be alive in the area where he was initially found.
Following this lead, CGDSEM remains in constant coordination with Indonesian maritime authorities for information sharing, case validation, and operational updates. Simultaneously, CGDSEM, in coordination with other maritime law enforcement agencies, national government agencies, and local government units, continues to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations to locate the four missing passengers.
The CGDSEM, remains committed to exhausting all available means and maintaining close interagency and international coordination to support the ongoing SAR mission and ensure the safe recovery of the remaining missing passengers.
SAR operations remain ongoing.
(CGDSEM)