CEBU - The Philippine Coastguard will not allow vessels three gross tons and below to join the fluvial procession this Saturday if the weather conditions will not permit.
Virgilio Tibayan, assistant station commander of Philippine Coastguard Station-Cebu, said that if there will be big waves during the procession itself, only vessels weighing more than three gross tons will be allowed to join.
As of yesterday 63 vessels have already registered to join the procession. Of the 63 vessels, 24 are above fifteen tons, 26 weigh three to fifteen gross tons and 13 weighing below three gross tons.
The Mactan Channel will be closed for navigation from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. as the procession will start at 7 a.m. The fluvial parade will start in Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City and will end at Pier 1 in Cebu City.
Several sea marshals will also be deployed to ensure that no vessels can pass through the channel during the fluvial parade and to secure the vessels joining the parade.
Tibayan said that shipping lines were already informed about the matter. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)