Bicol firm’s vessels grounded for inspection

LEGAZPI CITY — The Maritime Authority and the Coast Guard have grounded for thorough inspection all wooden-hulled passenger outriggers of the Lobrigo Shipping Lines plying the Pilar, Sorsogon-Masbate City route.

Lobrigo owned M/B Mae Ann 5 which capsized at the height of typhoon "Caloy," leaving 28 people dead, seven of them still unidentified. Eighteen passengers survived the tragedy.

Lucita Madarang, Marina regional director, said the inspection would determine if Lobrigo’s outriggers are still seaworthy.

"We want to find out if the vessels are still safe for the public as well as find out if there are cracks in their hulls," Madarang told The STAR.

Madarang has ordered Lobrigo to ask the captain of M/B Mae Ann 5 to submit a duly notarized marine protest.

The boat captain is now detained in the Masbate police headquarters.