By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

AN operator of a fishing vessel was cited for having no flares and signaling devices on board when the boat was rescued in Marpi Reef on Friday.
The operator, Joe R. Sablan, 52, was cited for violations of 3CMC subsections 5451 (c) and 5451 (a) as well as the Code of Federal Regulations section 175.110.
Acting Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Thomas Blas Jr. said DPS received a call regarding a distressed vessel on Friday at 3:55 p.m.
The distressed vessel was located about 10 miles northwest of Managaha with two occupants on board.
Blas said preliminary investigation disclosed that Boating Safety Section officers Sgt. Bernard K. Santos, David Rabauliman and Joaquin Deleon Guerrero launched a rescue and search operation in response to the distressed vessel report.
The white and blue boat operated by Sablan was found at 5:37 p.m. five miles west of Marpi Reef.
Sablan and his companion, Ray Deleon Guerrero King, 42, were in good condition.
The boat was towed back to the Smiley Cove Marina by the rescue vessel Zodiac III.
DPS said prior to the incident, Sablan and King left the Garapan Fishing Base at 2;30 p.m. on Friday heading northwest of Saipan.
At 4 p.m., the boat started experiencing engine problems and the engine could not be restarted.
Sablan called the Emergency Management Office for assistance through VHF marine radio.