Trans Asia vessel fails to sail to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Another Cebu-bound passenger vessel failed to sail to its destination Sunday after its main engine reportedly broke down. 

The MV Trans Asia 3 was supposed to leave Ozamis City for Cebu at 8 p.m. Sunday but failed to do so. Information about the engine problem remained sketchy as of yesterday.

“All I know is that it failed to leave last night (Sunday) in Ozamis because of engine problem. Other details I wouldn’t know. It’s beyond my AOR (area of responsibility),” Philippine Coast Gugard Central Visayas Command head Commodore William Melad told The Freeman.

The vessel was supposed to transport 185 passengers from Mindanao.

Its regular trip schedule from Ozamis to Cebu is every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday while its return trip from Cebu to Ozamiz is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Melad said they have not received an official copy of the report from the PCG in Ozamis.

As a matter of  procedure, the local station command where the incident occurred conducts investigation, forwards the information to the Central Office in Manila before the PCG at the port of destination is furnished a copy.

In the case of MV Trans Asia 3, PCG Cebu Station Command will receive the report as soon as the national office received the official report from PCG Ozamis.

Earlier, passenger vessels ran aground and did not also reach Cebu City due to strong winds and rough seas.

Cebu-bound passenger vessel from Maasin, Leyte MV Joyful Stars ran aground off Bantolinao point near Lapu-Lapu City while another from Bato, Leyte also ran aground over Danajon Bank, near norther Bohol island province.  (FREEMAN)