CEBU, Philippines - The management of Roble Shipping will file a marine protest today after the incident late Tuesday night involving one of their ships and a vessel of Carlos Gothong Lines.
Jose Emery Roble, president and chief executive officer of Roble Shipping Lines, said that they are thankful that none of the 518 passengers and 70 crew onboard the Ormoc-bound M/V Wonderful Stars was hurt.
He said that they could not immediately file the marine protest, which is required of the masters of ships involved in any incident, as the captain was still in the ship yesterday.
They planned to tow the vessel to the port late last night during high tide.
The legal counsel of Carlos Gothong Lines, Francisco Mijares, Jr. said that they have filed their marine protest yesterday.
The 57 crew of their vessel, M/V Subic Bay 1, are all safe and there was no reported injury.
M/V Wonderful Stars and M/V Bay 1 hit each other on the side while they were sailing on the Mactan Channel under the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge.
While the much-bigger M/V Subic Bay 1, which came from Manila carrying cargo, was able to dock safely, M/V Wonderful Stars ran aground.
Roble said that there were three passengers of their ferry that were brought to the hospital for check-up when they complained of hypertension.
He said that the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) immediately responded their call for help.
Roble said that they have refunded the tickets of all passengers and had given them food.
Some were even billeted at a pension house for the evening.
Roble said that since both vessels were travelling in a slow speed, the 13,000 gross tons Subic Bay I only sustained a minimal damage.
“Napaksit ra ang pintal sa Subic Bay 1,” Roble said adding that while his ship sustained damage estimated to be worth between P600,000 to P700,000.
Roble added that the ship’s railing was destroyed as well as the passenger catwalk.
Roble said that he immediately called up the owner of Gothong Shipping Lines about the incident and the latter immediately extend assistance also in the rescue of the passengers.
“I am just thankful nga wala ra matumba ang among barko kay daku kaayo nga barko ang among ka-engkwentro,” Roble said adding that passengers were already wearing life vests when the ship captain opted to put-off the ship’s engine after seeing that another vessel is coming their way and was most likely to hit them.
Roble further said that his ship captain tried to maneuver the vessel to prevent the accident.
“Nilikay gyud ang among barko to the point nga nasagad duol sa Petron depot. Pero bisan sa paglikay, naabtan gyud sa usa ka barko,” he added. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)