Sea vessels grounded even sans gale alert

CEBU, Philippines - Small sea vessels were not allowed to sail out yesterday despite non-issuance of gale warning and the relatively good weather.

The prohibition to sail left at least 229 passengers stranded at different sea ports in Cebu. Nine vessels and motor bancas below 250 gross tonnage were not given clearance by the Philippine Coast Guard to go out into the sea.

The affected vessels were Ocean Jet 5, Starcrafts-7, Weesam 7, St. Jhudiel, MV Mika Mari V, MBCA Junmar 3, MV Super Island Express II, MV Lady of Victory and MV Beautiful Star. They were supposedly bound for Ormoc City; Hilongos, Leyte; Samar; Tubigon, Bohol; and Liko, Guihulngan in Negros Oriental.

PCG Cebu District Commander Enrico Evangelista explained that their agency may cancel vessel trips to areas where there is unfavorable weather, even without a tropical cyclone or gale warning advisory raised on the port of origin.

“While there might be no gale warning declared by Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration over this region, we will not allow vessels with less than 250 gross tons to sail or depart from our region going to areas where there is gale warning,” he told The Freeman.

He added that substation commanders and station commanders may also suspend small crafts or fishing boats to sail in their areas if the sea condition is unsafe for such sea travel.

PCG Cebu station commander Weniel Azcuna said the skippers of the fastcrafts and motor bancas in Central Visayas volunteered to cancel their trips due to strong waves.

But he said most of the vessels were allowed to travel yesterday.

“It is the discretion of the captain if he sails or not,” Azcuna said.

Evangelista said they would lift the restriction depending on how the weather fares today.

“…but if we will have gale warning over our region as declared by PAGASA, then we have to suspend the sailing of vessels with less than 250 gross tonnage for the safety of life which is paramount, among others,” he said.

PAGASA’s 24-hour public weather forecast issued yesterday stated that the Visayas would experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

PAGASA said light to moderate rains and thunderstorms would continue to affect the provinces of Siquijor, Bohol (Panglao, Dauis, Loon, Maribojoc and nearby areas and the rest of western portion of Bohol), Cebu province (Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria).

The weather bureau advised the public to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods. — Kristine B. Quintas/JMD (FREEMAN)