24 injured as vessel rams into berthing area

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-four people were injured when a fast craft rammed into a berthing area at the Batangas Port Friday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Lt. Commander Arman Balilo quoted reports as saying that the 24 people, waiting for a ferry ride, sustained injuries when the 195 gross ton M/V Supercat 23 hit the port.

The passenger vessel, skippered by Custodio Falanlan and carrying 197 passengers, left the Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro at around 5 p.m.

It was maneuvering its docking at the Batangas Port at around 6:30 p.m. when it reportedly encountered engine trouble, causing it to ram into the outer portion of the Fast Craft Berth No. 3 and injuring 24 people standing by the berthing area.

PCG personnel and employees of the Cebu-based Fast Ferry Corp., which owns the vessel, immediately assisted the injured passengers.

Those hurt were rushed to the Golden Gate Hospital, St. Patrick Hospital and Batangas Regional Hospital.

The vessel reportedly sustained a one-foot diameter hole. – Evelyn Macairan, Arnell Ozaeta