THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD has issued interim guidelines prohibiting any shipping vessel, regardless of size, from sailing when storm signal No. 1 or higher has been raised at its point of origin, along its route or at its port of destination to prevent a repeat of the MV Princess of the Stars sea tragedy.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the new guidelines took effect Friday and would be in place until new, more definite regulations were handed down.

?Whenever a storm signal is raised at the port of origin, along the route or its port of destination, a vessel is not allowed to set sail,? Tamayo said.

He said a ship would only be allowed to leave port after a storm signal is raised if the vessel is going to take shelter in a safer spot, but it should not have any cargo or passengers on board.

Under the July 2007 circular which was being followed prior to the issuance of the interim guidelines, the movement of any craft or vessel was left to the discretion of the owner after signal No. 1 had been hoisted at the vessel?s point of origin, route or destination.