BACOLOD CITY – Seventy-two persons aboard MV Weesam Express 6 were rescued after the vessel suffered mechanical trouble shortly after departing the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port here on Friday, August 23.
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued passengers of MV Weesam Express 6 after the vessel encountered rudder failure shortly after it departed Bredco port in Bacolod City on Friday, August 23. (Photo courtesy of PCG-northern Negros Occidental)
Commander Jansen Benjamin, head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-northern Negros Occidental, said they received a distress call from the captain of the fast craft vessel informing them that they encountered steering casualty or rudder failure 20 minutes after their departure from the port to Iloilo City at around 7:25 a.m.
A rudder is used to steer a ship or a boat, according to Benjamin.
Benjamin said they responded to the anchorage area of the port, where 57 passengers and 15 crew were safely rescued, and towing operation was conducted.
Benjamin said that some passengers opted to transfer to another fast craft vessel while others received a refund for their tickets.
The PCG conducted a vessel safety enforcement inspection and advised the management to file a marine protest to enable the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to assess if they would still be allowed to resume operations after the repairs.
Last November, the same vessel also suffered rudder failure on its way to Iloilo City. Nineteen crew members and 172 passengers were rescued.