Eleven fishermen were rescued by a foreign vessel off the coast of Ilocos Sur on Thursday after the victims drifted for 48 hours at sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said 11 fishermen were rescued by a foreign vessel M/V Longxuyen, a Vietnam-registered flag vessel at seawaters of Ilocos Sur at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

The 11 rescued fishermen were identified as Orlando Fernandez, 51; Alejo Caiga, 28; Ray Mark Suarez, 14; Dennis Pati, 27; Jonipher Javier, 31; Danny Boy Careg, 17; Eduardo Suarez, 43; Ronald Alcantara, 16; Nonoy Gabriel, 34; Alfie Gagarao, 18; Jeffrey Gonzaga (Boat Captain), 31, all residents of Barangay Bolinao, Pangasinan.

He said the fishermen were onboard Motor Banca Marvin-4 which capsized at vicinity 20 nautical miles due northwest of Bolinao due to big waves and strong winds.

Reports reaching the Coast Guard Action Center disclosed that a fax letter was received from a certain Nguyen Dang Khoa, Duty Officer of Vietnam Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (MRCC) that M/V Longxuyen sighted the distressed motorbanca and subsequently rescued 11 fishermen.

Upon learning the incident, Coast Guard District Northern Luzon Commander Athelo Ybanez immediately contacted M/V Longxuyen and coordinated for the transfer of the rescued fishermen.

At 2:40 p.m. Thursday, M/V Longxuyen arrived at San Fernando City anchorage area where the transfer effected. Coast Guard Special Operations Group personnel onboard two rubber boats and Quarantine service boat proceeded to the area to rendezvous the vessel.

Reports revealed the 11 fishermen onboard M/B Marvin-4 went out for fishing venture on September 5 at 10 p.m.