THE Philippine Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the listing or tilting of a roll/roll off (Ro-ro) vessel while it was traversing the waters off Misamis Oriental last Sunday night.
While no one was hurt, the PCG said it is important to look into the incident to ensure the safety of passengers, especially during the coming Christmas season.
Initial information from the PCG showed that MV Filipinas CDO listed while in the vicinity of Laguindigan, Misamis Oriental at 8:05 p.m. Sunday.
“Based on the initial inquiry, while underway to Cebu, the RoRo vessel encountered a 30-degree listing due to strong winds caused by bad weather,” PCG said in a statement.
The vessel safely returned to the Cagayan de Oro City port at around 11:20 p.m.
The Coast Guard Station in Cagayan de Oro assisted in the disembarkation of 448 passengers who were all in good physical condition and four rolling cargos.
PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the PCG Maritime Safety Services Command “to investigate and check the safety procedures and protocols implemented by the shipping company and its crew.”
“This is to assure the public that we value the safety of the passengers and as much as possible incidents like this are prevented, especially now that the Christmas season is approaching when maritime traffic is increasing,” said PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armando Balilo.
Balilo said the PCG received initial information that MV Filipinas CDO listed due to unstable lashing of the rolling cargoes.
