Agaton causes trip cancellations

CEBU, Philippines - As Cebu celebrated the Sinulog grand parade yesterday, tropical depression Agaton prevented thousands from traveling at sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) posted in its official Facebook page, Tanod Baybayin Ng Pilipinas, that as of 12 noon, Agaton stranded 5,506 passengers from all over the country.

Of the total, 771 were in Cebu, 388 in Eastern Visayas (318 in Maasin and 70 in Ormoc), while the rest were in Bicol province.

At least 37 ships were affected, aside from nine motor bancas and 43 rolling cargo vessels that were likewise prevented from leaving port.

Strong winds and rough seas brought about by Agaton has also caused several vessels to run aground last Jan. 16, two of which remain stuck as of last night.

The PCG reported that efforts to tow MV Joyful Stars of Roble Shipping and MV Our lady of All Nations of Medallon Transport were unsuccessful.

MV Joyful Stars, which came from Maasin, Leyte, hit sand off Bantolinao Point in Lapu-Lapu City while MV Our Lady of All Nations, which was on its way to Cebu City from Bato, Leyte, got stuck in Danajon Bank in the northern part of Bohol.

MV Joyful Stars was already close to reaching the port safely, as it was just 10 kilometers away when it ventured into shallow waters.

Commodore William Melad of the PCG Central Visayas said over 200 passengers of MV Joyful Stars were brought to safety less than 24 hours after the ship run aground while all 90 passengers of MV All Nations were rescued and reached Cebu City last Saturday.

Melad said Danajon Bank, located between Leyte and Bohol, has several shallow portions, giving rescue vessels a hard time rescuing both the passengers and the ship. (FREEMAN)