The Third Subic Dragon Boat Festival, according to its organizers, is the biggest event they have ever staged as compared to their previous two dragon boat race events.

The organizers, however, added that this year’s event is the only one that had accidents involving colliding and capsizing boats.

A boat of the Dragon Pilipinas Rowing Team turned over Saturday after losing control in the middle of the race.

The Camarines Sur team lost control and took over the line of Dragon Pilipinas, causing a collision that led the Dragon Pilipinas boat to capsize.

A member of Dragon Pilipinas had to be rescued because he could not swim and almost drowned. He received first aid right away from the rescue team.

Meanwhile, another Dragon Pilipinas boat overturned after it bumped the boat of Aqua Fortis team, which also capsized.

Both teams were said to have experienced problems in the race because their members’ rowing was not synchronized. This made the boats unable to travel in a straight direction.

Thirty teams from throughout the country joined the festival that took place at the Ocean View Beach Resort in Olongapo City, Zambales.

The top teams into Sunday’s finals are from De La Salle University and University of the Philippines.