ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Weesam Express, a fastcraft transporting passengers from Zamboanga to Basilan and vice versa, sunk while docked at the port of Zamboanga at dawn on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Vessel captain Samuel Sabanal said the boat crew initially observed water seeping into the vessel at around 3 a.m., prompting him to order his men to pump out the water.
Their efforts were in vain as water continued to pour in, prompting the captain to order everyone to evacuate while the vessel continued to list on its side.
By sunrise, the vessel was completely submerged with only a part of it visible above the waterline.
Sabanal attributed the mishap to damage in the engine room combined with strong waves at the port of Zamboanga.