UK warns citizens vs travel on ferries, boats in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The United Kingdom urged its citizens to avoid travel on ferries and passenger boats in the Philippines following the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait maritime mishap last weekend.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advisory on the Philippines Monday and warned against sea travel.
It advised its citizens to avoid travel on ferries and passenger, particularly from June to December—when the country is frequently hit by tropical cyclones.
“They are often overloaded, may lack necessary lifesaving equipment or be inadequately maintained and have incomplete passenger manifests,” UK FCO said.
It added: “Storms can develop quickly and maritime rescue services in the Philippines may be limited.”
Squalls or sudden violent gusts of wind tipped over three wooden-hulled outriggers in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on Saturday as the rest of the country was affected by rains induced by the seasonal southwest monsoon winds or habagat.
The death toll from the sea accident has reached 31. Of the 96 passengers and crew on board the three boats, 62 survived and three remain missing.
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Coast Guard protocol up for review
Capt. Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, said the incident might prompt the agency to revisit its protocol in the area.
“We should adapt to the changing weather patterns and this kind of occurrence,” Balilo told ABS-CBN News Channel Monday.
Prior to departure, the crew of vessels must ensure the watercrafts have no unauthorized passengers to avoid overloading and check life jackets and fire fighting equipment.
Memorandum Circular 02-2013 states that no sea vessel “shall be allowed to sail except to take shelter, as the situation may warrant, when Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 or higher is hoisted within its point of origin, the intended route and point of destination.”
Sea vessels that are already sailing shall seek shelter when any storm warning signal is histed in its immediate vicinity, along its route and point of destination.
MARINA suspends motorbanca operations on Iloilo-Guimaras route
The Maritime Industry Authority has also launched an investigation into the capsizing and has announced the suspension of operations of all passenger motorbancas on the Iloilo-Guimaras route "subject to review and assessment of safety conditions of said vessels until further notice."
It will also direct two Ro/Ro ships to make more voyages along the route to meet passenger demand.
"The MARINA continues to remind operators to ensure maritime safety at all times by observing the latest weather forecast, conducting proper risk assessment, and applying control measures, as needed," it also said.
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