Gwen: Grounding ships bad for tourism, trade

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the suspension of the vessels of Island Shipping Corp. will adversely affect economic and tourism activities, particularly in Bantayan Island.

“There is already a heavy traffic between the mainland in Banta-yan because Bantayan has seen this upsurge of tourists and even potential investors. There’s much economic activity and when the accessibility is hampered then this will also impact the economic situation of the three towns in the island of Bantayan,” Garcia said.

Garcia hopes that the DOTC will prioritize the inspection of the seaworthiness of the vessels, if this may have been the reason why the suspension was carried out.

Three people died and 72 others were rescued when the M/V Island Fast Craft 1 en route to Cebu City from Tubigon caught fire on the Lauis Ledge off the coast of Talisay City, Cebu late Sunday morning.

“Because while we appreciate the fact that there really needs to be focused on the public safety and security of our riders riding public, let us all remember the public continues to ride,” the governor said.

The governor’s statement was boosted by Island Shipping Corp. owner Alex Tan over TV Patrol Central Visayas.

Tan said the economy will be really affected since 70 to 80 percent of their passengers and cargo are from Bantayan.

“Mao na’y isa ka issue na gituki karon sa mga shipping operators,” he said.

The shipping line is currently doing its own internal investigation as to what caused the fire. He also negated the claims of a passenger that there were too few lifejackets.

Tan also said the company will extend a P3,000 compensation to each of the passenger who was onboard the vessel.

“Wa ta’y choice if naa’y mukiha nato but amo na man nabuhat tanan. In fact, we have gone beyond our commitment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 5 encountered engine trouble while on its way to Ormoc from Pier 8 in Mandaue City, barely four hours after its departure at 9 p.m. the other night.

The 260-passenger capacity vessel, which only had 12 passengers and cargo at the time of the incident, was within the vicinity of Bagacay Point, Liloan town, Cebu.

Roland Luchavez, liaison officer of Asian Marine Transport Corp., the operator of the said vessel, assured that they are taking care of the rescued passengers.

Cebu Coast Guard station commander Rolando Punzalan said that it is dangerous for a vessel to travel with only one engine running except when it is already near its destination.

A Coast Guard report said that one of the vessel’s passengers, Nemeleo Telao, informed them that the vessel was “lying dead” in the water.

The Coast Guard Cebu immediately asked their station in Mandaue City and confirmed the report. The Coast Guard immediately directed one team to bring a rubber boat and proceed to the area.

The report added that the ship owner coordinated for a tugboat to tow the troubled ship back to Mandaue City but the said tug also encountered derangement and failed to proceed.

The ship owner the dispatched M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 7 that towed the M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 5 to Pier 7 in Mandaue City.

Punzalan added that the ship safely docked at Pier 7 and the ship management refunded all tickets.

No one was reportedly hurt or injured during the incident.

Punzalan said that the master or owner of the vessel was already directed to file a marine protest relative to the incident and secure evaluation from the Maritime Industry Authority to resume normal operation.

M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 5 has a gross tonnage of 565.44 and has a net tonnage of 265.85. It has 35 officers and crew.

This is the third Cebu-based vessel that encountered maritime trouble in a span of three weeks. First, was the sinking of M/V Asia Malaysia of Trans Asia Shipping Lines Inc. last July 31. All the 151 passengers were rescued before the vessel sank off in Iloilo from Cebu City.

Second was the burning of M/V Island Fast Craft I of Island Express Shipping last Sunday.

MARINA already lifted the suspension of Trans-Asia’s nine vessels while the eight vessels of Island Express Shipping was ordered grounded the other day pending investigation. — /BRP (FREEMAN)