ILOILO CITY – M/V Filipinas Cebu ran aground in Iloilo after the helmsman, who steers the ship, fell asleep, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in its initial investigation.
“According to the ship’s captain, the helmsman did not hear the order as he might be sleeping,” said Commander Paterno Belarmino Jr., PCG-Iloilo chief, Wednesday, August 10.
The cargo and passenger ship of Cokaliong Shipping Lines ran aground between Igbon Island and Agho Island in Concepcion, Iloilo past midnight August 9.
The ship with 223 passengers and 37 crew members was on its way to Cebu City from Iloilo City when the incident occurred.
“There was also an allegation from crewmembers that there was a small fishing vessel on its sight when the incident occurred. But it’s only their allegation,” Belarmino said.
When the investigation ends, PCG will release its final report as well as safety recommendations.
Aside from PCG, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is also conducting its own investigation.
Belarmino said that Marina will probe the negligence of the M/V Filipinas Cebu crew.
“It will be the Marina that can suspend or cancel the licenses of the ship’s officials,” Belarmino added.
Two-hundred fourteen out of the 223 passengers arrived in Cebu City early Wednesday. The nine other passengers opted to return here.