Fire hits ship, none hurt

CEBU, Philippines — The panel board of a ship’s engine caught fire around 11:40 a.m. last Monday while it was docked at the port in Baybay, Leyte.

Jose Emery “Joy” Roble, president and chief executive officer of the Cebu-based Roble Shipping Lines said that the fire that happened on the M/V Jacqueline Star was very minimal and damage was estimated at less than P50,000.

“Dali ra man napalong kay napasiritan man dayon sa duha ka fire extinguishers pero nanawag gihapon mi og firetrucks para masigurado nga palong na g’yud kay naa pa may aso,” Roble said.

The 883-gross-ton roll-on/roll-off vessel with a passenger capacity of 258 arrived in Baybay, Leyte, at 6 a.m. last Monday from Cebu after casting off at 9 p.m. the day before. The vessel was supposed to depart from Baybay, around 9:30 p.m. last Monday.

“Paghitabo sa sunog wala nay pasahero. Hasta ang mga cargoes unloaded na. No injuries pud,” said Roble.

However, the ship will be grounded for three to five days to ensure safety of the vessel as well the passengers.

A marine protest regarding the incident was already filed yesterday.

“Marine Protest” as defined under the Philippine Coast Guard Memorandum Circular 06-90, is a declaration on oath by the captain, of the  circumstances attending the damage or loss of his vessel, intended to show that the loss accrued by the perils of the sea, and conducting with the protestation against any liability of the owner to  the freighters. Its use and design is to authenticate the facts and circumstances of a loss to the insurer and other parties concerned. — BRP (FREEMAN)