PCG helps 162 passengers, 8 crew of grounded ship

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard yesterday assisted 162 passengers and eight crewmen of a passenger vessel that ran aground in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, the PCG reported.

In a statement, thePCG said it responded to the call of MV Our Lady of Fatima 03, which ran aground 670 meters off the shoreline of Barangay Tilik in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro at 7:45 a.m. yesterday.

The Coast Guard Sub-station Lubang said the ship had departed Tilik port on its way to Nasugbu, Batangas when it stalled, with the boat captain reporting that low tide caused the vessel to hit a rocky seabed.

The PCG said the ship was not overloaded with passengers and had no cargo onboard.

According to the PCG, all 162 passengers were safely transferred to the MV Princess Christine II and ferried back to Tilik Port at around 9:20 a.m.

The Coast Guard advised the captain to file a marine protest and for its crew to conduct underwater inspection to check for structural damage.

There were no signs of oil sheen or marine pollution around the area, the PCG reported.

A recommendation was filed by the PCG in Occidental Mindoro for the Maritime Industry Authority to  suspend the vessel’s Passenger Ship Safety Certificate pending a comprehensive investigation.