CEBU, Philippines - Passengers of M/V Trans-Asia 2 from Iloilo City were frustrated by the seven-hour delay in their arrival in Cebu City after the vessel’s engine broke down while at sea.
Agapito Bibat, Coast Guard-Cebu Station commander, said they were informed that the vessel’s engine broke down and was travelling with only one engine.
Bibat said he told the captain of the ship not to proceed to Cebu, but despite his instruction, the vessel still advanced.
“Nilarga na gabie alas 6. Naa na siya’y sophisticated tool gikan sa Marina sa Western Visayas, Iloilo. Na-clear nana siya didto, unya pag-abot na sa Guintarcan Island, nagkadarehas ni sila,” he disclosed.
He explained that the engine was already rusty and the lubricated system’s fuel decreased, hence, there was only one engine left to function.
The vessel was supposed to arrive at 7 a.m. on Friday but arrived at Pier 5 around 1:45 p.m. It docked at 2:20 pm. It was carrying 559 passengers and 47 crew members.
Edward Cabalida, one of the passengers of Trans-Asia 2, said that they were informed about the engine trouble.
“Wala man ta’y mahimo kay naa naman mi sa lawud… Dili name pwede mubalik,” he said.
He said he was among one of the passengers who had an early appointment in Cebu City, but was hampered due to the engine problem.
Marnie, also a passenger of Trans-Asia 2, shared that she was alarmed because it was her first encounter while another passenger, Leo, expressed frustration since he was bringing perishable goods.
“Hasol kaayo. Usa ra diay ka makina ang gaandar. Naa pa gud mi mga dala nya na baho nani akong pasayan gidala diha oh. Mahal ra ba kaayo ang kilo ana tag 400 nya na baho lang,” Leo said.
On the other hand, Leo said the ship still did its part to reach out to the passengers and even provided free breakfast and lunch.
The FREEMAN tried to reach Trans-Asia to get its comment on the matter but to no avail. — (FREEMAN)