On the early morning of October 7, the 226 gt passenger ferry Weesam Express (IMO: 9093062) sank in the Sulu Sea at Zamboanga, Philippines. The Weesam Express while docked in port suffered uncontrolled water ingress in the engine room. The crew spotted the water and engaged the vessel’s pumps, but the pumps were quickly overwhelmed. The crew evacuated off Weesam Express to shore as the ferry developed a starboard list. Strong waves in the area hastened the flooding causing the Weesam Express to capsize and sink leaving on a small part of the hull above water.
Photo: philstar.com
Photo: inquirer.net
Photo: inquirer.net
The Philippine Coast Guard placed booms around the sunken ferry to contain any pollution released. No reports of injuries. Reports stated the ferry had potentially suffered some mechanical breakdown allowing for the water ingress.
On the afternoon of September 28, the Philippine Coast Guard reported 6 vessels had run aground while Typhoon Opong passed over the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Romblon, Philippines.
June Aster
The 59 meter long ro-ro passenger cargo vessel June Aster (MMSI: 548848200) ran aground some 30 meters off the shoreline of Barangay Poblacion. The vessel was loaded with 14,000 litres of diesel fuel, vehicles and equipment. The 16 crew on board were safely rescued. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
Julienne
The barge Julienne loaded with some 3,000 bags of rice bound for Botolan, Zambales ran aground after its mooring lines snapped by the strong winds. The barge drifted ashore. Reports state all 4 crew onboard were safely rescued. No reports of injuries.
Big Glory
The barge Big Glory ran ashore off shoreline of Sitio Big Tabinay in Barangay Tabinay, Puerto Galera. The Big Glory had dropped anchor trying to shelter from the heavy seas and strong winds when its anchor chain snapped. The barge drifted ashore with all 8 crew members rescued. The Big Glory had 3.5 tons of sand bound for Navotas. No reports of injuries.
Photo: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Big Joy
The barge Big Joy went aground on the rocky shoreline. Reports state the barge had been sheltering from typhoon. All eight crew members on board were rescued. No reports of injuries.
Photo: mb.com.ph
Jishun 2
The fishing vessel Jishun 2 went aground some 10 meters off the shore at Sitio Pamustusin in Barangay Harrison, Paluan. The fishing vessel departed from Tayamaan, but had to find shelter after being battered by strong waves. The crew attempted to drop anchor but the anchor line entangled with the propeller. Now disabled, the Jishun 2 drifted until it ran aground on a sandbar off the shoreline. The Philippine Coast Guard reports that all crew members were rescued. No reports of injuries. The fishing vessel was being monitored for any pollution being released.
Solid Harmony
The 104 meter long, 1738 dwt cargo vessel Solid Harmony (IMO: 9851397) ran aground near Barangay Cabolutan in San Agustin, Romblon. The Solid Harmony was bound for North Harbor in Manila when the vessel diverted and seeking shelter from Typhoon Opong. Large waves caused the anchor to drag and the cargo vessel went ashore. Reports state all crew members were rescued. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the morning of September 22, the fishing vessel Jobhenz sank in the Philippine Sea off Santa Ana, Cagayan, Philippines. The fishing vessel had sought shelter off the coast from the strong winds and heavy seas caused by Typhoon Ragasa when it capsized by the strong winds. The hull completely overturned trapping inside some of the 13 crew on board. Authorities were alerted by the vessel’s owner who was unable to contact the fishing vessel during the early afternoon.
The Philippine Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation to search the last known location of the Jobhenz. The Coast Guard would find the overturn hull of the Jobhenz along with reports that 4 of the 13 crew had swam over to another nearby fishing vessel who rescued the crew from the sea. The Coast Guard would later cut open the hull and discovered 2 additional survivors who were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
Divers would continue to search around and inside the vessel over the next 2 days. Authorities were unable to find any additional survivors, but would be able to recover the bodies of the remaining 7 missing crew members. Survivors told authorities the vessel was struck by successive waves that caused the Jobhenz to lose stability and roll over. No further details reported.
