Ship with 363 passengers conks out, brought to port

CEBU, Philippines - Except for their delayed arrival in Danao City, 363 passengers traveling from Camotes Island were alright after the vessel they were riding developed engine trouble yesterday afternoon and had to be brought to port by a sister ship.

In a telephone interview, Seaman Second Class (SN2) Jomar Veloso of the Philippine Coast Guard said Jomalia Shipping Corporation's MV Mika Mari III was towed by MV Mika Mari V while still in the middle of the sea.

Passenger Arnold Teodoro told The FREEMAN that Mika Mari III left Camotes past 1 p.m. yesterday.  He said that two hours after they left the port, they heard a loud banging noise from below deck.

"Naay (There was a) loud noise; it was a loud crashing sound morag naay nangatagak nga puthaw (similar to that made by falling metal bars)," he said.

After that, Teodoro said, the ship stopped moving.

He said that 20 minutes after they heard the banging sound, the ship captain announced that he was going to the engine room to check.

Ten minutes later, the captain announced that the engine was dead and that a rescue ship was on its way.

It was The FREEMAN that informed the PCG about the incident after passenger Faith Montejo called, informing about what happened.

Veloso said that with the two ships lashed side by side, the passengers arrived safely at the Danao City port. (FREEMAN)