MARINA to probe banca incident

CEBU, Philippines - The Maritime Industry Authority-7 is set to investigate whether the motor banca that ran aground last Friday, the MB Clarin Cruiser, complied with safety concerns.

“The vessel is registered. We have the records on file. But we have to check whether it is compliant as far as safety is concerned,” MARINA-7 Director Nannette Villamor- Dinopol said yesterday.

Dinopol said the motor banca, which carried 48 passengers and seven crew members, reportedly departed from Pasil Port in Cebu City for Bohol without clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard. It ran aground off Cordova Point in Cebu. 

The Coast Guard did not clear the travel due to a Southwest monsoon, which gained strength brought by the effects of tropical storm Mario.

 MARINA-7 spokesperson Jose Cabatingan said that as of yesterday, the captain of the vessel have not submitted a marine protest just yet.

A marine protest, as defined under PCG Memorandum Circular number 06-90, is a declaration on oath by the captain of the ship about the circumstances surrounding the damage or loss of his vessel. It intends to show that the loss accrued by the perils of the sea and conducting with the protestation against any liability of the owner of the freighters.

The marine protest shall be the primary evidence in the investigation of the accident involving the MB Clarin Cruiser. (FREEMAN)