Typhoon causes 10 ships to break free, run aground

CEBU, Philippines - More than 10 ships either were carried out to sea or ran aground due to huge waves and strong winds caused by super typhoon Yolanda.

Commodore William Melad, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Central and Eastern Visayas commander, said one casualty has been reported while several crew members remain missing.

M/V Andrea Princess of Unilink Shipping capsized and was washed ashore in Borongan, Samar. Melad said 13 survived the incident while six remain missing and one was reported dead.

Eight other maritime incidents were reported in Eastern Visayas and nine in Central Visayas, including M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 17 that sank at Pier 8 in Mandaue City.

“The said vessel was reportedly carrying 8,000 liters of diesel fuel and 200 liters of oil. The incident was already reported to the Marine Environmental Protection Unit-Central Visayas for further action,” said the PCG in a report. 

M/V Cagayan Bay and M/V Osamis Bay, both owned by Gothong Shipping Lines, detached from their mooring lines at the bollard of Gothong Wharf.

The Cebu Harbor Pilot-owned M/Tug Metro Tug II capsized due to strong waves at the vicinity of Santiago Shipyard in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu. 

Melad said they still need to head to Tagbilaran City since more ships docked at the port were reportedly affected by the typhoon

Meanwhile, Chief Insp. Alexander Ancao, San Remigio, Cebu police chief, told The FREEMAN that six fishing vessels sank at the Hagnaya wharf. He said two people died, 13 survived, while two others are still missing.

He identified the casualties as William Villanueva, 41, of Barangay Cabac, Bantayan, Tessie Alpha-3 fishing vessel boat captain Gregorio Mata, whose body was found at 9 a.m. yesterday. The missing crew members were identified as Willy Mahinay, 40, and Danny Negre, 30, both from Barangay Cabac, Bantayan town. (FREEMAN)