CEBU CITY – A roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) passenger vessel did not reach its destination after encountering engine trouble off Mactan Channel in Cebu Sunday, July 10.MV Lite Ferry 11 was stalled at sea for more than seven hours before it headed back to its port of origin.
Lt. Junior Grade Krysta Bergantin, spokesperson of Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas (PCG), said the vessel was carrying 158 passengers and crew when it left Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City for Ormoc at 11 a.m. Sunday. The vessel was supposed to arrive in Ormoc at 6 p.m.
The vessel was about two nautical miles off Bagacay Point in Liloan, Cebu when it encountered engine trouble, forcing it to drop anchor to facilitate repairs.
When the engine was repaired, ship crew encountered another mechanical trouble when the anchor could not be lifted.
Bergantin said ship crew decided to just cut off the anchor chain.
The anchor chain was successfully cut off but the shipping company decided to just send another vessel to rescue the passengers.
It was past 10 p.m. when the rescuing MV Lite Ferry 20 carrying the passengers arrived at Ouano Wharf.
The passengers were rebooked for another trip.
They were scheduled to leave Cebu for Ormoc at 11 p.m. Monday, July 11.