MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippine Coast Guard created Wednesday an investigating panel to look into the sinking of the SuperFerry 9, which claimed the lives of at least 10 passengers.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Coast Guard chief, designated Rear Admiral Alejandro Flora to head the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI).

Also named to the eight-man investigating committee were Maritime Industry Authority director Emerson Lorenzo and Coast Guard Cecil Chen as vice chairpersons.

Coast Guard Commander Ramon Reblora, Captain Reynold Sabay, Chief Engineer Rodelio Lagat, Chief Engineer Diosdado Ramos and Captain Tomas Baino were likewise assigned as members of the panel.

Flora, Coast Guard deputy chief for administration, said they would immediately send summonses and notices of hearing to the crew members and rescued passengers of the sunken ferry.

Flora said the month-long probe would focus on the cause of the listing and eventual sinking of the ship, determine the administrative liabilities of its owner Aboitiz Transport System and recommend policies to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The hearings, he said, would be held separately in Manila, Iloilo and General Santos City.

The BMI already scheduled a preliminary hearing for Friday while the formal investigation will start on Monday.

Flora said they were expecting to complete the investigation and official report on the sinking by October 9.