Engine trouble hampers ship’s maiden voyage

CEBU, Philippines -  It was supposed to sail for the first time after being acquired by another shipping firm.  But engine trouble hampered its maiden voyage, stranding almost 90 passengers.

MV Our Lady of Love left Cebu City’s Pier 4 at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday bound for Palompon, Leyte. But its engine conked out while navigating along Mactan Channel near the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge at 10:14 p.m., a report from Cebu Coast Guard Station Command said.

The 27,434-gross tonnage vessel was carrying 87 passengers when it drifted through the shorelines of Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, the report said.

The Coast Guard said the vessel ran aground at Mactan Channel’s shallow portion.

Yesterday at 8:45am, a tugboat from PCG Mandaue substation, pulled the vessel and brought it to a docking yard at Lilo-an.

The passengers were still onboard when the vessel was brought to Lilo-an.

“She (the ship) is docked at shipyard in Lilo-an. Apparently, her engine problem was fixed already but we have advised for her to be inspected by Marina before allowed to sail again,” PCG Central Visayas commander Commodore William Melad said.

The vessel’s fuel lines had caused an engine trouble, but Melad described it as a minor trouble.

He however “wanted to be sure that no damage was incurred as she touched bottom.”

PCG Cebu Station Commander Rodolfo Villajuan said the problem may be minor but an inspection by Maritime Industry Authority was recommended because it affects voyage of the vessel.

Melad told The FREEMAN through a text message that the vessel was released and allowed to sail at 3:30 p.m. yesterday, after inspection by Marina personnel.

The PCG did not reveal the vessel’s previous owner.

Meanwhile, a suspected illegal fishing vessel believed to be from Cebu was intercepted by Coast Guard Palawan.

A report from PCG said F/V NKB with 31 fishermen onboard was seized by Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) due to illegal fishing off Cuyo, Palawan.

The vessel was said to have an expired ship license when authorities spotted it at about 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Imalaguan, Cuyo, Palawan on March 11.

The 116.74GT vessel is reportedly licensed to a certain Thea Liz Fu with her business address at 32 T. Abella St., Taboan, San Nicolas-Proper, Cebu City.

The boat skipper was identified as Paulino Y. Fernandez, 49, who was issued with a Maritime Violation Receipt for violating Republic Act 8550 or the Municipal Fishery Ordinance of Cuyo and MVR Code 008 on expired ship station license.

Fernandez was advised to rectify violations at the Marina Cebu office where the ship was registered. — /JRS  (FREEMAN)