MV Sea Merchant sank and one crew died

The sinking of the cement carrier MV Sea Merchant in Batangas on January 1.
A passing merchant vessel, MV Mactan Island, rescued 11 of the crew after receiving a distress call from the vessel. Another man, chief engineer Almarito Anciano, died possibly as a result of hitting his head while evacuating from the vessel. MV Sea Merchant was carrying 20,040 bags of cement and was en route to Antique from Bauan Port.
The cement cargo shifted to the starboard side causing it to list by 10 degrees.
The master ordered the chief mate to arrest the list by shifting the ship’s heading while the engine crew tried to take up ballast water on the port side. However, three consecutive big waves continued to batter the ship causing it to take in more water. MV Sea Merchant subsequently sank few minutes after the chief mate initiated the distress call. MV Sea Merchant was owned by Fortune Sea Carrier.