On November 8, the 86 meter long cargo vessel LCT PanPhil 8 (IMO: 1081300) ran aground at Currimao, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The LCT PanPhil 8 had been at anchor in the port of Currimao when strong waves and winds from Typhoon Marce (Yinxing) struck the area. The cargo vessel’s anchor dragged and the LCT PanPhil 8 was blown ashore. Local authorities responded and found the 15 crew on the LCT PanPhil 8 were uninjured.
Photo: inquirer.net
Photo: bomboradyo.com
The LCT PanPhil 8 had arrived in Currimao a week earlier waiting for the processing of the certificates for conversion as a domestic trader. Authorities are monitoring the vessel for possible oil pollution released.
On the morning of October 27, the tugboat Maristela 2 sank on the Iloilo River while berthed along Muelle Loney in Iloilo City, Philippines. The master was the sole person onboard the tug having his morning coffee when he felt the tugboat tilting over. He quickly disembarked onto the quay before the tugboat sank. Authorities were alerted and found an an oil sheen extending up to 250 meters around the site. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed an oil boom to contain the oil pollution while the tug owners, International Builders Corporation (IBC) of Iloilo brought a crane to the scene. The crane was able to recover the vessel on the early morning of October 28. No reports of injuries.
The Philippine Coast Guard released an initial report on the incident. They state the owners and the master of the tugboat may be held liable for the incident. The report states the Maristela 2 had been improperly moored. The mooring lines were set to tight which caused the tugboat to tilt on the ebb tide. The tugboat lost stability allowing water ingress resulting in its sinking. At the time of the incident, the Maristela 2 had some 200 litres of diesel fuel on board.
The Philippine Coast Guard reports the cargo vessel Sta. Monica-A1 has foundered in waters off Paluan, Philippines. On October 22, the Sta. Monica-A1 had departed from Sta. Cruz, Taytay, Palawan bound for Casia with 10 crew and a cargo of 100 water buffalos. The vessel encountered rough seas caused by Super Typhoon Kristine and the vessel was attempting to seek shelter. For several days the vessel owners, Synergy Sea Venture Inc., were unable to contact the vessel. The hope was the vessel had sought shelter in a remote area and it was just unable to communicate. By October 27 the owners contacted authorities their vessel was missing. The Philippine Coast Guard requested vessels in the area for assistance and to keep a lookout for the Sta. Monica-A1.
On October 28, a local fishermen reported seeing multiple bodies and number of dead animals floating in the water some 14 nautical miles off Paluan. The following day a life jacket marked “MV STA MONICA-A1” along with two life rings were pulled from the water some 10 miles off Paluan and later secured by the Philippine Coast Guard. Authorities have launched search for further debris along with aerial search for additional signs of the vessel. Reports state several gas tanks were pulled from the water off Paluan.
Reports state search operations will continue with weather and sea conditions permitting.
