Browsed by
Tag: Philippines

Lite Ferry 5

Lite Ferry 5

Lite Ferry 5
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On April 19, the 65 meter long, 2668 gt ro-ro passenger ferry Lite Ferry 5 (IMO: 9873321) ran aground just outside the port of Jagna in Bohol, Philippines. The ferry departed for Cagayan de Oro when it drifted into shallow waters at low tide.  The Lite Ferry 5 only proceeded some 200 meters from the port of Jagna when it ran aground in the Bohol Sea.

The vessel contacted Philippine authorities requesting assistance and evacuation of the 506 passengers and crew onboard the Lite Ferry 5. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy assisted by local fishermen would take the entire night to safely transfer everyone to shore. No reports of injuries.

Authorities were able to conduct an inspection on the Lite Ferry 5 and found no damage. A tug was dispatched from Cebu to refloat the ferry. No reports of pollution released.

Hong Hai 16

Hong Hai 16

Hong Hai 16
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On the evening of April 15, the 144 meter long, 20421 dwt dredger Hong Hai 16 (IMO: 8665870) capsized in the Mindoro Strait off Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The Hong Hai 16 had lost stability while dredging a short distance off the coast.

A video caught the vessel listing heavily to port before it suddenly rolled over in less than a minute. Of the 25 crew on board the sand dredger, 14 crew were able to escape and found in the water near the hull.

The Philippine Coast Guard arrived on scene and began a search and rescue operation looking for the missing crew.  The initial search found the body of one crew member.  Divers were brought to the site and began searching within the Hong Hai 16‘s compartments. Divers would find 3 more bodies trapped inside the vessel. The Coast Guard states there is some hope the missing crew members may be found alive possibly in the engine room.

Hong Hai 16
Photo: x.com

An oil sheen was spotted around the overturned Hong Hai 16.  The Coast Guard deployed booms around the stern off the hull to contain the pollution.

Authorities have contacted the vessel’s owner to start salvage operations. The Coast Guard has asked ship’s owner to hire an accredited salvor while it conducted an underwater survey and risk assessment. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Castphill XV

Castphill XV

Castphill XV
Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

On the early morning of March 30, the cargo vessel Castphill XV caught fire at the entrance of Manila Bay near Limbones Island, Philippines. The cargo vessel departed from Manila bound for Culion with a mix cargo of  general merchandise, hardware materials, sacks of rice, cement and fuel. As it approached the island, a fire broke out on the Castphill XV.  The crew was unable to contain the blaze and requested assistance before they abandoned ship.

The Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Boracay arrived on site and rescued seven crew from the water. The patrol vessel took the survivors back to Manila where they taken to hospital for treatment.  Five more survivors would be rescued a few hours later by the Coast Guard based in Maragondon. These survivors were brought ashore to Maragondon for treatment.  Reports state the crew sustained only minor injuries.

The Philippine Coast Guard has begun an investigation Reports suggest the fire may have started in the cargo hold possibly from the stored fuel cargo.