CEBU, Philippines - A fastcraft on its way to Cebu City from Tagbilaran City yesterday morning had to be towed by a tugboat 14 nautical miles from its port of destination after it encountered a steering problem.
All 21 passengers and 15 crewmembers of the Weesam fast craft, however, arrived safely in Cebu City yesterday afternoon.
The fast craft left Tagbilaran early morning but when it reached Lawis Ledge off Talisay its steering mechanism malfunctioned. Since the vessel could no longer move on its own, the ship captain called a coast guard sub-station for help.
Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander Dionilett Ampil said they received the distress call around 8 a.m. requesting that a tugboat be sent to pull the fast craft to port.
“Nakadawat man atong sub-station og tawag nga naaberya ang maong fast craft, hinungdan nangita sila og available nga tugboat ug bugtong ang Light Ferry Tugboat 1 lang ang available ug maoy niguyod,” Ampil said.
He said the tugboat arrived in Lawis Ledge and started towing the vessel around 12:20 p.m. towards Pier 1.
“Luwas ug wala'y casualty nga niabot ang mga pasahero,” Ampil said, adding that they were waiting for the ship captain to file a marine protest so they would have an idea as to the cause of the steering problem. (FREEMAN)