Engine trouble nearly spoils Christmas of ship passengers

CEBU - At least 139 Cebu-bound passengers nearly spend their Christmas at sea when M/V Mega Asiana of Rolly Shipping lines experienced engine trouble on the eve of Christmas day in Tambulian point in Bohol.

The passenger vessel left the port of Tubigon, Bohol at 4:15 p.m. last Tuesday and was expected to arrive after more than two hours in the port of Cebu.

However, Commander Antonio Cuasito of Philippine Coastguard Cebu said that at around 7 p.m., when the passenger vessel reached Tambuli Point, it experienced propeller problem causing the engine to stop.

Cuasito said their initial investigation disclosed that lack of oil prompted the propeller to malfunction.

MV Tagbilaran Ferry, MV Mega Asiana’s sister ship, tugged the ill-fated vessel to the port of Cebu and arrived safely at past 10 p.m.

Aside from the 139 passengers, MV Mega Asiana had also 16 crews on board.

Ship captain Cerencio Asunto is expected to submit his marine protest as they already corrected the propeller problem.

Coastguard station Cebu has already given clearance to the crew of MV Mega Asiana for it to continue sailing. — Ramil V. Ayuman/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)