Princess wreck to be removed this month

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they expect that a new salvaging company would start the removal of the sunken 23,000-gross ton M/V Princess of the Stars within the month.

Tamayo said the new salvor is set to conduct a surveillance operation, which could take about a week, at the site where the ship capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon, and is expected to apply for a salvaging permit with the PCG.

“But before we issue a salvaging permit, we need to see first how they would conduct the wreck removal operation, if it would not cause any environmental hazard and if they have adequate equipment to conduct the operation,” Tamayo said.

The removal of the shipwreck is the third and final phase of the Task Force Princess of the Stars’ work.

Jordan Go, vice president for marketing of Sulpicio Lines Inc. which owned Princess of the Stars, said they sold the vessel to a shipbreaking company, which he declined to identify, last Nov. 27. He also refused to disclose how much they sold the wreck.

“The new owner, the shipbreaking company, would shoulder the expenses (for the final phase). I also heard that they are on their way to secure a permit for salvaging in the next few days,” he said.

The shipbreaking firm would decide if the ship would be sold as scrap metal, he said.

He added: “I know they have a plan… I know they intend to remove the vessel and would start the operation as soon as possible. They plan to start this month, but it is possible that they would be able to complete it early next year.”

Meanwhile, Tamayo said they would hold today the groundbreaking for the memorial shrine for the passengers and crewmen who died and remained missing in the sea tragedy. 

“We will present on Dec. 8 (today) a scale model of the memorial shrine. Once completed, the relatives (of those who died) could offer prayers, flowers and candles,” he said, adding the shrine will be made of marble.

Expected guests at the groundbreaking are Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Transportation Undersecretary for the Maritime Sector Ma. Elena Bautista, and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona.

The Cebu-bound Princess of the Stars capsized as it entered the eye of typhoon “Frank” off Romblon last June 21.

The salvaging company Harbor Star, which Sulpicio Lines hired, terminated phase two – the search and recovery of bodies inside the vessel – last Nov. 10.

A total of 199 bodies were found, reducing the number of those missing in the sea mishap to more than 300. At least 864 people were on board the vessel when it sank.

The first phase involved the recovery of toxic chemicals, including bunker fuel, from the Princess of the Stars. The operation, which started Oct. 26, took 16 days.