Boats get to earn their badge of heroism, too.
The dainty-looking swan boat deployed for a rescue mission to Cagayan in the aftermath of typhoon Ulysses in November last year had just gotten hers from the Baguio City Police Office led by City Director Col. Allen Rae Co.
The small vessel is part of the Burnham Park fleet of boating concessionaire Vivian Celso who lent four of her boats (one swan and three pontoons) to Cagayan as her contribution to the rescue effort in the flood-affected communities.
While in Cagayan, the Baguio boats ferried residents of barangays Anquiray and Abollo for their needs and doubled as a form of recreation for children traumatized by the deluge.
Since their return to Baguio, they have been back in the still waters of Burnham Park lake, serving the recreational needs of parkgoers.
“What I know is they are still for hire but with her special marks, the swan boat now has added attraction and novelty apart from being a symbol of generosity and selflessness of the people of Baguio,” Co said.
The boats are capable of carrying 10 people at a time and are ideal in rescue operations for the fiberglass hulls are not easily punctured compared to rubber boats.
On Nov. 15, 2020, the swan boat, a rubber boat, and two pontoons were sent to Cagayan aboard a boat trailer from the PNP Maritime Group based in Pangasinan. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
