CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY , Philippines – A passenger ship was towed back to Macabalan port in this city after it developed engine trouble while sailing toward Cebu at dawn Monday.
The M/V Trans-Asia 5 was carrying 667 passengers and perishable goods when it left Macabalan on Sunday night. Along the way, its engine conked out causing it to drift, according to Philippine Coast Guard station commander Eliezer Dalnay.
A PCG vessel escorted the tugboat and the passenger ship from the waters off Siquijor Island.
Dalnay said the vessels reached Macabalan port at noon yesterday. PCG medical personnel were stationed at the area to help passengers needing medical assistance.
Trans-Asia 5 was said to have suffered engine trouble in October last year during a voyage from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro.
The manager of Trans-Asia Shipping Lines declined to comment on the matter pending investigation of the incident.
The shipping company operates two other passenger ships, M/V Trans-Asia 8, which plies the Bohol-Cagayan de Oro route, and the M/V Trans-Asia 9, which plies the Cagayan de Oro-Cebu route.