At least this time the death toll was relatively low. As of last night, there were three reported fatalities, three others remained missing, while the rest of the passengers and crew of the roll-on, roll-off ferry M/V Maharlika had been rescued by other vessels. The RORO listed and sank Saturday afternoon off Southern Leyte reportedly after being buffeted for several hours by strong winds and powerful waves spawned by the southwest monsoon.
Some reports blamed steering problems for the accident, but maritime authorities have yet to start an inquiry into the sinking – one of many that the nation has seen with alarming regularity all over the archipelago for several decades.
Even with the low death toll, the Maharlika disaster should prod maritime authorities to tighten enforcement of shipping safety rules. Authorities said the RORO was not overloaded, carrying only half of its passenger capacity plus 13 vehicles. But the ship manifest appeared to be grossly inaccurate, reportedly listing only 58 passengers and 26 crewmembers. Philippine Coast Guard officials said there were 116 people aboard, while provincial officials placed the number of survivors at 144.
Maritime transportation fares are lower than airfare, making ferries popular in this country. With 7,100 islands, certain areas are also accessible only by sea or helicopter. RORO vessels have made maritime travel even more popular, with passengers no longer needing to transfer from bus to ship to bus again to reach their destinations.
The popularity of maritime transportation should make it even more important for authorities to improve the enforcement of safety rules on ships. Whether the death toll is three or 300, every life is precious. Safety consciousness must be heightened especially with the approach of the Christmas season, a peak time for travel and a period in which some of the country’s worst maritime disasters have been recorded.
Ship operators must be governed by one overriding rule: safety first. Those who ignore the rule must be made to account for their negligence.