Investigation into ship grounding sought

Shuttle Ferry 1

October 4, 2010 - The Municipal Council of Mahinog today called for an investigation as to why MV Shuttle ferry 1 ran aground in Benoni channel past 1 p.m. yesterday, October 3.

This after Councilor Rey Lawrence K. Tan delivered a privilege speech at this morning's session of the municipal council, calling for a legislative action to avoid repetition of yesterday's incident.

MV Shuttle Ferry 1, a roll-on roll-off passenger and cargo vessel owned by Asian Marine Transport had just left the Port of Benoni and was headed Balingoan when the incident happened, according to Councilor Tan.

"All the passengers were safe," Tan said. "All the passengers were rescued by ML Hijos," he added.

He said a sister vessel MV Shuttle Ferry 11 all the way from Balingoan towed the grounded ship back to the port of Benoni, where rolling cargoes carried on the grounded ship were to be unloaded.

Tan

He said all the passengers suffered more than inconvenience and that passengers with their rolling cargoes (vehicles) had to wait until 8 p.m. to be finally transported to port of Balingoan.

In a resolution moved by Councilor Erlindo G. Bequilla, chairman of the committee on public order and safety, seconded by Councilor Jonard B. Labadan, the council called the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to suspend MV Shuttle Ferry 1's operation for the meantime until the investigation is complete.

The resolution stated there is a need for Marina, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to conduct an investigation as to the cause of the grounding to avoid similar incident in the future, which could endanger the safety of the riding public.

The council also called on Marina and other agencies to impose sanctions necessary against shipping company to avoid repetition of the incident.

"We believe that, as a matter of standard operating procedure, MV Shuttle Ferry 1 should not be allowed to operate for the meantime until the authority determines the cause of the incident," the councilors said in a two-page resolution.

The vessel will also have to be inspected to determine its seaworthiness, if the safety management system was followed and whether or not damage was done on the environment, the resolution added.

Ships are following the International Safety Management Code to ensure safety at sea and prevent damage to the environment.

The resolution was addressed to Marianito D. Mendoza, Regional Director, Marina, Regional Office X, Phase II, Port Area, Cagayan de Oro City.

Efren B. Bollozos, Port Manager, Port Management Office, PPA, Port Area, Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona, Commander, Coast Guard Districts Northern Mindanao (CGDNM), Corrales Extension, Macabalan, Cagayan De Oro.