Marina allows SuperFerry vessels to sail again

MANILA, Philippines - After grounding them for one day, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday allowed eight of the nine SuperFerry vessels to sail anew.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Marina gave the go-signal to Negros Navigation-Aboitiz Transport System (NN-ATS) to resume its operations, except for Cebu Ferry 3, after they have passed the International Safety Management (ISM) audit and the passenger ship safety certificates.

The eight passenger and cargo ships that passed the Marina inspection were 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, and M/V Cebu Ferry 2.

The SuperFerry vessels were allowed to transport passengers and cargoes in the routes approved by Marina.

“The lifting of the voyage suspension order was recommended since the covered ships only had minor deficiencies and were found to be in seaworthy condition after they have undergone an additional ISM audits by the audit team,’’ the PCG said.

Marina issued a special permit allowing the M/V Cebu Ferry 3 to travel from the Port of Jagna in Bohol to the Port of Cagayan de Oro City where it would undergo inspection and audit.

The officers and crew of M/V SuperFerry 20, who were on duty at the time it collided with a fishing boat last Nov. 17, will remain suspended until they have undergone rigid training in Collision Regulation and Standards of Training Certification and Watch-Keeping for Seafarers.

Meanwhile, the seaman’s book and Qualification Document Certificate of the deck officers – Capt. Candido Rasonabe, chief officer Benjamin Damuag, second officer Galileo Valendez, auxiliary second officer Efren Tomo, able seaman Francis Neil Pagota, and apprentice mate Jaime de la Cruz – will be temporarily lifted to complete M/V Superferry 20’s voyage to Manila after inspection.