Manila, Sept. 17 -- A search and rescue operation is underway for the fishing vessel FBCA Denise Dee, which has been reported missing with 22 crew members on board since early Wednesday morning.

The vessel was last in contact with its owner, Sherwin Belgar, in the early hours of Sept. 17, the Philippine Coast Guard Station (PCGS) in Dilasag, Aurora, reported. It received a report about the missing boat at 12:08 p.m. from Marivic Avilla, the wife of one of the crew members.

According to initial reports, the FBCA Denise Dee began a fishing trip around 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the waters east of Tordil, Casiguran, Aurora. The vessel reportedly did not have clearance from the local Coast Guard substation before departing.

At around 11 p.m. on...