Marina probes crew of vessel that ran aground

TACLOBAN CITY - Investigators of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) found the crewmen of M/V Our Lady of Bannuex liable for the accident that almost sunk the ship last month.

The ship ran aground three kilometers off Canigao Island in Matalom, Leyte on Dec. 29.

The crewmen were described as "reckless and careless" in a show-cause order issued to Cebu Ferries Corp., the ship's owner, by Marina's Eastern Visayas office last Friday.

Jose Venancio Vero, Marina's regional director, ordered the company to turn over to his office the ship's records during the accident "to avoid any attempt to derail the conduct of the investigation."

He also required the vessel's skipper, Capt. Victor Bayotas, and third mate, Rodrigo Fernandez, to appear during the first hearing at the Marina regional office on Feb. 17.

"We are requiring them to explain why they should not be charged administratively, fined and penalized for their negligence," he said.

Both officers must answer the complaint within 10 days after receipt of the order.

The Dec. 29 accident is the second involving a vessel of Cebu Ferries.

Bannuex, which was carrying 1,498 passengers, was en route to Manila from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte when the accident occurred. At least 206 people were rescued from the vessel and taken on board the M/V Our Lady of Manaoag, a sister-ship of the Bannuex.