Coast Guard cancels all sea voyages from Surigao del Norte

BUTUAN CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) canceled all sea voyages from Surigao del Norte on Thursday, as Tropical Depression “Usman” inched closer to the country.

“When we received the latest weather update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) around 5 a.m., we immediately cancelled all trips of passenger and cargo vessels at the port of Surigao City and Lipata Ferry port,” said Lawrence Roque, station commander of the Coast Guard station in Surigao City.

READ: Tropical depression ‘Usman’ to make landfall Friday — Pagasa

Roque said five large vessels and five motorized “banca” boats were currently anchored at the Surigao City port.

“Most of the vessels in the port are those plying Siargao and Dinagat Islands. Those leaving the Lipata Ferry Port had also been cancelled,” he said.

The Coast Guard said the last boat to leave Surigao City port around 2 p.m. was the passenger roll-off, roll-on cargo ship MV Lady of Love of the Medallion Shipping Lines.

“We have given the Lady of Love the option to take shelter at the port of Surigao while voyages are suspended or to immediately go back to Cebu City without any passenger or cargo on board. They chose the latter, taking shelter in their home port in Cebu,” said Roque. /ee

 READ: Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ slows down – Pagasa