THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has taken custody of the captain of the high-speed passenger vessel that caught fire on Monday, leading to the death of seven passengers.
PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the captain of MV Mercraft 2, John Lerry Escareces, told investigators he did not know where the fire started.
PCG officials on Monday said the fire started at the engine room of the fiberglass-made vessel, based on initial information from the survivors.
Escareces was among the 24 injured in the fire. His mother, 57-year-old Charito, was among the fatalities.
The vessel caught fire about 500 to 1,000 yards from the port of Real town, its port of destination, at around 6:40 a.m. It left Polillo Island, also in Quezon, at around 5 a.m. with 126 passengers and eight crew members.
Rescuers saved 127 passengers and crewmen.
PCG communications officer Joy Gumatay said of Escareces “is under investigation” and “under the custody of the PCG.”
Balilo said the seven other crew members of the ill-fated vessel will also be called for the probe, which is being conducted by the Marine Casualty Investigation Team from the PCG.
Balilo said he was able to talk to Escareces on Monday night. “He said he was not sure if it started in the engine (room),” said Balilo.
He added Escareces said he entrusted the steering to another crew member to go to the comfort room.
“After that, he saw the vessel on fire. So there is no clear information (where the started),” said Balilo.
“The captain said the fire was massive and it caught some of the passengers as it spread to the floor,” said Balilo.
Balilo also said some of the survivors claimed they heard an explosion from the engine room before the fire.
He said it was possible the fire did not actually start at the engine room, noting that the engine man on duty survived the fire.
“If it started there, the engine man should have been harmed. That will be part of the investigation,” said Balilo.
Balilo said it was possible hazardous materials loaded in the ship caused the fire.
He also said investigators may complete the probe in a week.
“Our Marine Casualty Investigation Team is already there (in Real town), the investigation is proceeding. We are going to talk to the crew members, the captain is already in our custody,” he said.
He said PCG investigators will file charges against owner and crew members of the vessel if there is negligence on their part. He said this may also lead to the cancellation of the franchise of the owner.
“This will depend on the evidence and direction of the investigation,” said Balilo.
