Engine trouble delays trip of Cokaliong vessel

CEBU, Philippines -  A vessel of Cokaliong Shipping Lines experienced a six-hour delay when the lube oil pump of its main engine conked out while the ship was traveling to Cebu from Maasin, Leyte the other night.

 The engine of MV Filipinas- Iloilo reportedly stopped around midnight while the vessel was traveling along Tagus, Matalum, Leyte. The ship was carrying 286 passengers and 41 crew members.

 Chester Cokaliong, chief executive officer of Cokaliong Shipping said, however, that the problem was “very minor” and the engine was repaired immediately.

 “It was just a minor incident, very minor. It was repaired immediately. The vessel and all the passengers and crew safely arrived in Cebu,” Cokaliong said.

 The vessel departed Maasin at 10pm and was supposed to arrive in Cebu at 6am yesterday. Because of the incident, it arrived at 12:30pm.

 Michell Ursabia, information officer of the Philippine Coastguard District Central-Eastern Visayas, said the ship captain was able to seek assistance from their counterpart in Leyte when the incident happened.

 Ursabia said the passengers were provided with food while the engine was being repaired. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)