Small vessels in Albay banned from sailing

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Due to the prevailing strong wind and rough waves in the eastern seaboard of the country, small fishing boats and inter-island passenger vessels in Albay were banned yesterday from sailing by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and officials of the provincial government.

PCG-Bicol commander Felipe Macababad based his order on the gale warning issued by weathermen here yesterday that rough to very rough seas with waves of up to 5.5 meters high would be experienced as monsoon wind gustiness was recorded at 53 kilometers per hour, or higher than the tropical depression 35- to 50-kph force.

Banned were motorized bancas and passenger vessels plying inter-island routes at the Albay Gulf and coastal villages facing the Pacific Ocean.

Macababad said the ban would take effect until the gale warning is lifted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Quoting the same Pagasa advisory, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda strongly warned fishermen not to brave the rough to very rough waves to avoid unnecessary loss of lives at sea.

“Based on the gale warning of Pagasa, due to strong amihan, we advise fishermen and small transport seacraft not to sail out to sea especially on the eastern seaboard that includes the islands of Rapu-Rapu, Batan, Cagraray and San Miguel,” Salceda said through TECF 2011 advisory no.15.

Salceda had earlier ordered the distribution of some 8,000 relief packs for the disrupted residents of Albay’s island and coastal villages, whose livelihood sources are dependent on marginal fishing and farming.

In its gale warning no.51, Pagasa said that fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out in the sea, while large vessels are alerted against big waves.