Cargo Ship Catches Fire In Manila Bay Forcing Crew To Abandon Vessel

A cargo ship, MV Castphill XV, caught fire early Sunday (March 31, 2025) while sailing southwest of Manila, forcing its crew to abandon the ship. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded quickly, ensuring the rescue of all 12 crew members.

The vessel was operating near Patungan, Maragondon, Cavite, when the fire broke out around 2:00 am. The PCG patrol ship BRP Boracay (FPB-2401) reached the scene and rescued seven crew members, including the captain at approximately 4:27 am.

They were brought to Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila, where they received medical attention. All had only minor injuries.

At around 7:35 am, the Coast Guard sub-station in Maragondon, Cavite located and rescued the remaining five crew members.

They were transported back to Maragondon for further medical assessment.

𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swiftly responded to a fire incident involving MV CASTPHILL XV, a cargo vessel, at vicinity waters of Patungan Maragondon, Cavite on 30 March 2025.

✍️https://t.co/rnz45nbOkz#DOTrPH 🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH pic.twitter.com/bapDw1mh9I

— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) March 31, 2025

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Photos from the scene show intense flames and thick smoke engulfing the foredeck.

Per reports, MV Castphill XV departed from Delpan, Manila at Dawn on Saturday, heading towards Culion, Palawan. The vessel was loaded with general merchandise, hardware materials, sacks of rice, cement, and fuel stored in metal containers.

The PCG reaffirmed its commitment to maritime safety and its ability to respond swiftly to emergencies at sea.

The Department of Transportation Secretary, Vince Dizon, also assured the public that maritime safety remains a priority for all agencies under his department, especially the PCG.

The vessel is not listed in international maritime databases, but is reportedly linked to Mega Oil, a Manila-based fuel distribution company.

The MV Castphill XV a traditional stick boom coaster, showed visible signs of aging, including dented plating around its stern, as seen in a recent drydocking video.

Reference: PCG