Philippine Passenger Ferry Disaster Update
The collision occurred in the vicinity of Lawis Ledge, off the island of Cebu between 'MV Sulpico Express 7', a cargo ship bound for Davao City, and 'MV St. Thomas Aquinas', a RoR passenger ferry out of Butuan bound for Cebu City. The ferry, with 841persons on board sank and at the latest count Monday, 19, August 0845 LMT, 750 passengers had been rescued, there were 42 casualties, and 78 persons were missing. "Official Statement on M/V St. At around 9pm of August 16, in the vicinity of Lawis Ledge, Talisay, Cebu, M/V St.
Search and Rescue Remains Priority for Ferry Owner
Sulpicio Lines Incorporated, owner of the ill-fated passenger vessel, M/V Princess of the Stars, said they are trying to hasten rescue operations and assistance to the victims. However, the shipping firm explained that its main concern at the moment is the recovery of casualties and the rescue of survivors. The company has deployed m/v Cebu Princess and hired two Malaysian tugboats to assist in the rescue operations. But the inclement weather has delayed the rescue operation. Despite this, families were assured that rescue is still underway.
Philippine Ferry Sinks
More than 700 people are reported missing after a Philippine ferry capsized in a typhoon on Sunday. Reuters reported that so far, only four people are known to have survived the ferry disaster. Many passengers did not make it off the MV Princess of Stars in time. Princess of Stars ran aground on but the coast guard was unable to reach it because of huge swells and bad weather caused by Typhoon Fengshen, which crashed into the central on Friday. Four people have been confirmed dead but most of the 620-plus passengers and 121 crew remain missing. Children's slippers and life jackets have washed ashore. At least two other coast guard vessels were en route to help in rescue efforts and divers would be able to scour the submerged ship.
Marina Orders All Sulpicio Ships Grounded
The Cebu Daily News reported that all Sulpicio Lines vessels nationwide were ordered grounded by the Maritime Authority (Marina) following the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars. A memorandum was issued by Administrator Vicente Sauso for personnel to inspect all Sulpicio Lines vessels to check whether they have lashing gears and have complied with cargo securing manuals. If the vessels fulfill requirements, they are allowed to sail. Source: Daily News
12 Years After Ferry Disaster, Money Awarded
Relatives of two passengers of a Philippine ferry who died with 4,000 others in the world's worst peacetime sea disaster have won claims for damages after almost 12 years of court battle. The Philippine Supreme Court, in a ruling on Tuesday, awarded $18,775 in damages to the relatives of school teacher Sebastian Canezal and his 11-year-old daughter who both drowned in the sinking of the inter-island ferry Dona Paz. The Dona Paz sank in December 1987 after a collision with the oil tanker MT Vector off Mindoro island in the central Philippines. Court records showed the Dona Paz was carrying an estimated 4,000 people. Only 24 people survived. Canezal's wife and mother sued the ferry owners, Sulpicio Lines, Inc, for damages.
Ship's Fire Drill Sparks Massive Search
A fire drill by a ship triggered a massive search operation off the Philippine coast near Subic port last week to locate what was believed to be a burning vessel with more than 200 passengers on board, officials said. Several rescue vessels, helicopters and planes were dispatched after an official at Subic heard a distress message and thought there was a genuine emergency, said Coast Guard Operations chief Commander Efren Sabas. Subic port officials earlier told reporters the MV Palawan Princess was on fire some seven nautical miles south of Subic Bay, according to coordinates they received from the distress call. Most of the passengers were rescued, they said later. "It was a drill by the Palawan Princess while tied at the pier in Manila," said Sabas.
