A ROLL-ON/roll-off vessel ran aground in Concepcion town in Iloilo yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
All the 223 passengers and 38 crew members of MV Filipinas Cebu were safe and free of any injury, said PCG communications officer Joy Gumatay.
Citing initial information from the field, Gumatay said the incident occurred at around 12:08 a.m. between Igbon and Agho islands in Concepcion town.
The vessel, owned by the Cokaliong Shipping Lines, left Iloilo at around 7:14 p.m. last Monday for Cebu.
“The cause of the maritime incident is still under investigation,” said Gumatay.
Personnel from the PCG Sub-Station Concepcion arrived at the grounding site at around 4:30 a.m. to check on the condition of the passengers and crew members.
A PCG ship, BRP Panglao, arrived at the scene five hours later to extend more help.
Gumatay said the personnel of the PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Unit found no traces of oil spill.
She said MV Nasipit, a sister ship of MV Filipinas Cebu, left Maasin town in Leyte at around 2 a.m. yesterday and is expected to arrive at the grounding site later yesterday.
“According to the concerned shipping company, the passengers of MV Filipinas Cebu will be safely transferred to MV Nasipit to reach their destination,” said Gumatay.
She said the PCG District Western Mindanao continues to monitor the situation “to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and crew.”
