Ship stalls, is towed back to port

A passenger ship bound for Ormoc City from the Port of Cebu lost power and drifted in the seawaters off Bagacay Point, barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City for about three hours yesterday afternoon before being towed back to port.

Its 80 passengers and an undetermined number of crew are all safe.

The coastguard said M/V San Jose de Tagbilaran of Lite Shipping left the Port of Cebu around 11 a.m. and experienced engine trouble around 2 p.m. near Bagacay Point, just around four nautical miles into the voyage.

The vessel’s crew tried to do some repairs but failed, prompting the captain to decide to have the vessel towed back to port.  A tugboat, M/T Visor, was sent to assist the vessel heading back and the ship safely reached port by 6 p.m. yesterday.

Coast Guard petty officer 1 Rafael Bolneo told The Freeman that there were no casualty reported in the incident, which was brought about by minor engine trouble.

Officials of Coast Guard Station-Cebu received several calls from concerned citizens informing them about a vessel drifting out at the sea. They later confirmed this through other sources. —  Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP