CEBU, Philippines - A passenger vessel of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. has been allowed to sail by Maritime Industry Authority following the suspension of SLI vessels after the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars in Romblon last year.
Marina administrator Ma. Elena Bautista said that only the M/V Princess of the South was able to comply with all the requirements of the agency for them to sail again.
Yesterday around 10 a.m. the M/V Princess of the South left the Port of Manila on her way to Cebu. On board were 52 officers and crew as well as four sea marshals of the Coast Guard.
Two weeks ago more than a hundred personnel of Coast Guard and Marina sailed with the crew of M/V Princess of the South to make sure that the passenger vessel is safe and ready to sail again.
The Maritime Safety Office team tasked to inspect and audit SLI’s ships reported that the M/V Princess of the South, passed the inspection and shipboard audit and does not have any outstanding deficiency, further recommending for the lifting of the suspension order of the ship.
This led Marina to safely conclude that it has complied with set safety standards.
Some of the requirements they were able to comply were the policy of insurance from Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corporation, showing that the ship is covered for liabilities for wreck removal and oil pollution.
The remaining ships of SLI shall remain suspended until they are reported to be compliant with all applicable rules and regulations and safety standards set by the said authority.
The passenger operations of SLI’s remaining ships shall remain suspended until after their compliance with existing rules and regulations and safety standards set by Marina.
M/V Princess of the South travels from Manila to Cebu and vice-versa with a passenger capacity of 1,334.
Port Captain Nestor Fonteres of Sulpicio Lines Cebu Branch said that around 1 p.m. today the M/V Princess of the South will arrive at Pier 5 under the supervision of the ship captain Ernesto Edar.
Last June 21, 2008 M/V Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank.
The flagship of the SLI fleet left Manila on June 20, 2008 on its way to Cebu City. The number of passengers is variously reported between 700 and 800. -Johanna T. Natavio/BRP