Probes start into marine accidents

CEBU, Philippines - The Special Board of Marine Inquiry (SBMI), which is tasked to investigate sea mishaps, will start its investigation next week into the collision between fishing boat Linda Steel II and Chrysler Cargo vessel in the seas off Madridejos town.

Coast Guard Commander Anelito Gabisan said that there is no exact date for the investigation but “hopefully it could be started next week.”

Aside from the incident, the SBMI will also look into the sudden disappearance of the Edago Expedition Cargo Vessel on May 15, 2008 off the coast of Pandan town in northern Antique.

Linda Steel II was said to be laying out its fishing gear two miles away from Tangigi in Madridejos when it collided with the Chrysler Cargo, which was heading for Maraviles, Bataan, around 5:20 a.m. of February 8.

At least 19 fishermen on board Linda Steel were saved by crewmen of Chrysler Cargo when the fishing boat sank. The bodies of six fishermen who went missing after the incident were recovered on February 13.

The Edago Expedition was on its way to Zamboanga City from Maniquin Island in Antique with 13 crew members and 24,500 sacks of salt when it disappeared in rough seas. — AJ de la Torre/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)