Philippine Coast Guard to escort stranded passenger ferry

MANILA, Philippines-A passenger ferry, which malfunctioned in the middle of the seas of Visayas, will be escorted to a Mandaue port with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard.

MV Super Shuttle Ferry became unstable when huge waves shook the vessel while en route to Cebu City, Lieutenant Robinson Madriaga, Commander of the Tagbilaran Coast Guard, said Monday.

He added that the ship experienced the malfunction at around 2 a.m. Monday while passing through Siquijor and Bacilasag Island in Bohol.

“The vessel became unstable, and we need to drain some water from the ballast tank,” Madriaga said.

Filled with a specified amount of water, the ballast tank is used to stabilize a sea vessel as it travels.

According to initial reports, MV Super Shuttle Ferry belongs to Cagayan de Oro-based Super Shuttle Ferry Company.

It had 118 passengers and 60 crewmen onboard.

No casualties were reported during the incident.

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