’Seize tanker in Mindoro coral reef damage’

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard in the Southern Tagalog District (PCG-STD) yesterday alerted its personnel to be on the lookout for a motor tanker that allegedly fled after damaging coral reefs when it ran aground in the waters off Oriental Mindoro. 

M/T John Nico took shelter off Sitio Dayap in Barangay Calima in Pola town at the height of Typhoon Nona, said PCG-STD commander Commodore Rolando Legaspi.

The vessel was loaded with 731.852 metric tons of industrial fuel oil when the incident occurred.

“At 6:45 a.m. of Dec. 15, M/T John Nico reportedly lowered its anchor but the anchor was not enough to stop the big waves and strong winds from dragging it. By 7 a.m., the vessel even had to turn on its engine to stop it from being dragged,” said Legaspi.

Legaspi said the vessel had to be extracted by a tugboat last Dec. 20.

He said the captain of the vessel should have sought the assistance of the PCG before removing the ship from its position. 

Legaspi said the Pola municipal government is seeking compensation from the vessel’s owner, NBB Dragon Shipping Corp.  

“If proven that M/T John Nico was at fault, the vessel must be detained until it has settled its obligations,” he said. 

The PCG said there was no report of an oil spill.