(Photo courtesy of PCG)
The Philippine coast guard (PCG) has ordered an investigation regarding the collision between a passenger vessel and a barge loaded with 300 sacks of cement. The incident took place around 1:45 a.m. on April 3 two nautical miles southeast of Barangay San Agapito, Isla Verde, in Batangas.
As it is reported by the PCG coast guard, Barge Krizza Rica, towed by motor tug Migi with 17 crew on board, was loaded with 300 sacks of cement when the accident occurred. It departed Calaca, Balayan, Batangas, bound for Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique.
Initial investigation revealed that MV Fastcat M19, with 47 crew and 41 passengers on board, departed Batangas Port (Batangas) and was on its way to Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro.
“Due to the collision, MV Fastcat M19 incurred a damage on the third deck passenger deck starboard quarter (right rear corner), while Barge Krizza Rica acquired scratches on its port bow (front left side),” the Philippine coast guard (PCG) said.
According to PCG spokesperson, CG Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, one of MV Fastcat M19’s passenger, a 26-year-old male resident of Santa Fe, Romblon, incurred lacerations in the upper right eye and upper right lip with minor bruises.
The incident was reported to the Philippine coast guard by the Vessel Traffic Management System in Batangas.
Furthermore, the coast guard contacted the vessels and advised the barge to anchor at Calapan anchorage area for further investigation.
The Philippine coast guard said yesterday citing information from CG Rear Admiral Balilo that around 3 a.m. on April 3, the ship MV Fastcat M19 safely docked at Calapan Port where all the passengers were safely disembarked.
As it is reported, the injured passenger was transported to Oriental Mindoro provincial hospital for further medical assistance.
An initial inquiry and inspection of the damages incurred by the concerned vessels was conducted by the Philippine coast guard station Oriental Mindoro, CGSS Calapan, and the maritime safety services unit-southern Tagalog.
They also performed an initial oil spill assessment and yielded a negative result.
