NATION

RORO vessel tilts near Quezon port, scores rescued

Jonas Reyes · Oct 31, 2026, 4:44 AM

A RORO vessel tilts to one side while docked at the Port of Real in Quezon province. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the MV Virgen de Peñafrancia carried at least 58 passengers and crew and they were reported rescued from the vessel which was also carrying at least 1,300 liters of marine diesel in its service tank. — Photograph courtesy of PCG

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel rescued 58 passengers and crew members early Friday after a passenger vessel tilted on its side just 10 meters from Real Port in Barangay Ungos.

The roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II, operated by Starhorse Shipping Lines Inc., was arriving from Polillo Port carrying 40 passengers — including two infants — 18 crew members, and 14 rolling cargoes when the incident occurred at approximately 12:25 a.m.

Three passengers sustained injuries when a drum shifted as the ship listed, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Real evaluated the remaining passengers and crew, confirming they were in good physical condition following the evacuation, which concluded around 3:30 a.m.

Acting on directives from Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Marina suspended the vessel’s Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, barring the ship from operating pending a technical evaluation of its seaworthiness.

Marine casualty investigators were deployed to establish the cause of the incident and check for potential safety violations.

Initial findings by Marina indicated that a mooring line snapped amid strong currents, causing the ship to take on water and list to one side. Authorities noted that investigations into the vessel’s mooring arrangements, stability, and cargo-securing compliance remain ongoing.

The vessel was carrying 1,300 liters of marine diesel oil in its service tank at the time of the listing.

PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said that while marine diesel naturally dissipates, response teams deployed oil spill booms around the area to safeguard the nearby coastline and evaluate remaining fuel levels.

“We have directed the shipping company to apply for an Emergency Salvage Permit and undertake measures to safely remove the distressed vessel,” Cayabyab said, adding that monitoring continues to assess any potential environmental impact.

Cayabyab confirmed that maritime operations and travel in the Southern Tagalog region will remain unaffected by the incident.

Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog recorded 4,107 outbound and 4,373 inbound passengers between midnight and 6 a.m. Friday, with personnel maintaining heightened security and safety inspections across ports for the Undas holiday rush.