Marina suspends 9 cargo, passenger ships

MANILA, Philippines - The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday suspended nine Superferry vessels after one of its ships figured in a collision that caused the death of a fisherman and injured six others in Sarangani province Friday morning.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said Marina issued a voyage suspension order against the Superferry fleet that is owned by the Negros Navigation-Aboitiz Transport System.

This includes the passenger and cargo ships M/V Superferry 20, M/V Superferry 1, M/V Superferry 2, M/V Superferry 5, M/V Superferry 12, M/V Superferry 21, M/V Cebu Ferry 1, M/V Cebu Ferry 2 and M/V Cebu Ferry 3.

“The respondent Aboitiz Transport System Corp. was directed to coordinate with the Maritime Safety Office of Marina for the immediate conduct of additional ISM (International Safety Management) audit and re-inspection of said ships,” added Ricafrente.

He said the Seafarer’s Identification Record Book, commonly called the seaman’s book and the Qualification Document of the officers and crew of M/V Superferry 20 and the ship’s safety certificates were also cancelled until further orders.

Marina set the hearing on the maritime mishap on Nov. 25 at 10 a.m.

Initial information reaching the PCG showed that at around 11:45 p.m. of Nov. 17, the F/B San Jose Bayanihan was navigating to Balot Island from General Santos City when hit by M/V Superferry 20 that had just left Makar Wharf and was enroute to Manila via Zamboanga City.

At that time, the PCG General Santos station was conducting maritime patrol and saw the fishermen on water.

The lone fatality was identified as 60-year-old Giovanni Buntong, who was hit by a debris from the destroyed boat.

Those injured were the boat captain Mendoza, 52; Rex Bulawin, 28; Marjus Iramis, 20; Joseph Tiones, 20; Regalado Sender, 19; and Bryan Inero, 17.