170 rescued as vessel runs aground
The vessel was operating within its authorized passenger capacity and had approximately 250 liters of marine diesel oil and 45 liters of lubricating oil on board. It was not carrying any cargo.
Daily TribuneThe vessel was operating within its authorized passenger capacity and had approximately 250 liters of marine diesel oil and 45 liters of lubricating oil on board. It was not carrying any cargo.
About 170 people — 162 passengers and eight crew members — were rescued after their vessel ran aground about 670 meters off the shoreline of Barangay Tilik in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro on Sunday.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said personnel from Coast Guard Sub-Station Lubang responded to MV Our Lady of Fatima 03 after noticing the vessel had suddenly stopped at around 7:45 a.m., shortly after departing Tilik Port en route to Nasugbu, Batangas.
According to the vessel’s captain, the incident was caused by low tide conditions over a rocky seabed. Weather and sea conditions at the time were reported to be calm to moderate.
The vessel was operating within its authorized passenger capacity and had approximately 250 liters of marine diesel oil and 45 liters of lubricating oil on board. It was not carrying any cargo.
By 8:40 a.m., all passengers had been safely transferred to MV Princess Christine II and were ferried back to Tilik Port, arriving at around 9:20 a.m.
A joint assessment conducted at around 9:30 a.m. confirmed that the vessel was partially grounded in a shallow area. Authorities also reported no oil sheen or signs of marine pollution.
Responding personnel said the grounding site is outside a Marine Protected Area.
The vessel’s captain was advised to file a marine protest, while the crew will conduct an underwater inspection to determine possible structural damage.
At around 10:36 a.m., the Coast Guard Station in Occidental Mindoro recommended to the Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office IV the suspension of the vessel’s Passenger Ship Safety Certificate pending a comprehensive investigation.