Ship bound for Cebu conks out

CEBU, Philippines - A passenger cargo vessel bound for Cebu City carrying 118 passengers and 60 crew members from Cagayan de Oro was stranded for several hours after its engine conked out in the middle of the voyage Monday morning.

Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas commander William Melad said the MV Super Shuttle Roro 3 of the Asian Marine Transport Corp. experienced engine trouble as it passed Siquijor and Balicasag Island in Bohol at 2 a.m. yesterday.

“After nagkaproblema sa engine, the vessel tilted at least three inches which is, however, still manageable,” Melad said.

The crew members were able to repair the engine at 10:30 a.m. and continued to sail on to Cebu City port. 

The 7,023 gross ton vessel arrived at the Cebu port at 4:25 p.m. with all the passengers safe. Although, they were delayed by several hours of their expected arrival, the passengers were thankful that they arrived safely.

“Lahat naman safe. Wala namang injuries,” Melad said.

Melad said the PCG is conducting an investigation into the incident to determine why the engine conked out in the middle of the voyage. Melad said he expects the ship captain to submit his marine protest within the day.

Marine protest, as defined under PCG Memorandum Circular, is a declaration under oath by the ship captain of the circumstances attending the damage or loss of his vessel, intended to show that the loss accrued by the perils of the sea, and conducting with the protestation against any liability of the owner of the freighters.

It is considered the primary evidence in the investigation of accident involving ships.

 The MV Super Shuttle Roro 3 is one of the 26 vessels in the fleet of Asian Marine Transport Corporation.

The company serves 35 ports of call all over the country. (FREEMAN)