The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued Saturday morning 22 crew members and 14 passengers of a vessel whose engine room took water while sailing northwest of the Capones Island in Zambales, the central Philippines.

The PCG said the rescue operations were completed at exactly 08: 00(00:00 GMT) after they conducted de-watering and lent submersible water pumps to prevent the M/V Queen Fatima, a 499-gross-ton vessel from sinking.

According to Lt. Amelito Gabison, PCG Command duty officer, a distress signal was sent Friday afternoon by the PCG's Coast Watch Capones that M/V Queen Fatima was taking water in its engine room while in the vicinity of the Capones Island.

The vessel, owned and operated by the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, left Batanes en route to Manila Friday morning with 22 crew members and 14 passengers.

After receiving the distress signal, the PCG dispatched its own vessel, DF310, but it returned due to unfavorable sea conditions in the area.

M/V Epoch Ace, which was in the vicinity, rendered assistance and towed the vessel for anchorage.