39 cheat death in Batanes ferry mishap

SABTANG, Batanes , Philippines  – Thirty nine persons, narrowly missed a watery grave early yesterday morning, when the ferry boat they were riding was buffeted by big waves, filling it with seawater, as they all jumped ship to escape death.

Petty Officer Second Class Rodrigo Siblag Jr., Coast Guard station commander here, who was at the seaport after clearing the boat, immediately led the townpeople to conduct rescue and retrieval operations.

Siblag said all the 36 passengers and three crewmen of the ill-fated MB Navigator have been accounted for.

Initial Coast Guard investigation showed the wooden-hulled ferry boat was carrying passengers and crewmen according to its allowed capacity of 40 passengers and five crewmen.

“The boat was cleared to leave port. However, as it departed, there was a sudden surge of big waves that caused it to be filled with water,” Siblag said.

“As water filled it, the passengers scampered and jumped overboard, causing the boat to tilt and run aground,” Siblag said.

The 25-ton ferry boat, piloted by Joves Cariz, is now moored here at the Port of Sabtang.

Five of the passengers, who sustained injuries have been brought to the Batanes General Hospital in the capital town of Basco, 35 nautical miles from here, are now undergoing observation and medical assistance.

Siblag identified the injured passengers as: Adela Hostallero, 47; Rosa Aumentado, 68; Elena Davocol, 39; Magencia Cielo, 76; and Mary Ann Alavado, 24. All are natives of this town.

Celedonio Faberes, owner of the ill-fated ferry boat said, his family-owned corporation, will shoulder all the medical expenses of the injured passengers. – With Charlie Lagasca