Fastcraft crew failed to call Coast Guard

CEBU, Philippines - The captain of Weesam Express 8 is facing investigation over his failure to report immediately to the Philippine Coast Guard that their vessel ran aground off Talisay City, said Cdr. Rolando Punzalan, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (CG)-Cebu Station.

A maritime violation receipt was issued yesterday morning by the Philippine Coast Guard against Captain Kim Caroro.

Punzalan said it’s up to the Maritime Industry Authority-7 to make a move against Caroro.

He added that the Coast Guard could not be faulted for not responding immediately when the fast craft ran aground in Lawis, Talisay City at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, because the crew failed to report right away to them.

“Unfair naman ‘yung sinabi nang iba, we tried to respond as much as we could pero kami pa rin ang masama,” Punzalan said.

He added that it was one of the passengers of the fastcraft, and not the crew, who reported the incident.

“After we received a call from a passenger of Weesam Express 8 asking for assistance, we immediately verified the report and called the captain of the fastcraft, kami na ‘yung tumawag sa kanila to verify the report,” he said.

He said it took them about 30 to 35 minutes to reach the stranded vessel and another 15 minutes to assist.

Earlier, former Cebu City Hall public information officer Ted Ayeng was reported as having expressed his disgust against the Coast Guard for being slow. Ayeng, who was one of the passengers, narrated that the Coast Guard was informed 10 minutes after the incident and yet, rescuers did not arrive after more than an hour has lapsed. 

No one was hurt in the incident but the passengers were dismayed with the delay, Ayeng had reportedly added.

But for Punzalan, “What’s important is that we are able to rescue 208 passengers and 13 crew members on board the stranded fast craft and they are safe now.”

The Weesam Express 8 left the Tagbilaran City port at 4:20 p.m. It was supposed to dock at around 6:20 p.m. at Pier 4 of Cebu City.

Meanwhile, on the oil spill spotted near the Muelle Osmeña Pier in Lapu-lapu City, Punzalan said it was only minor and was not alarming.

Still, he cautioned residents to be wary against fish caught from the area.

The oil spill was spotted drifting towards the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge. — /JPM (FREEMAN)