Cebu ferry hits barge anchored off Lapu-Lapu City

THE Maritime Industry Authority in Central Visayas (Marina-7) has suspended the passenger ship safety certificate of a ferry that hit a barge anchored off  Bantolinao point, Lapu-Lapu City.

The MV Lite Ferry 8 of the Lite Shipping Lines can’t sail unless it undergoes a reinspection, said Jose Cabatingan, Marina 7 spokesman.

The moving  vessel struck the barge about 3 a.m.

This kind of mishap is called an “allision” in contrast to a collision, which involves two moving vessels, Cabatingan  explained.

The ferry sustained a minor dent, while the barge showed no sign of damage.

Lite Ferry 8 crewmen said that barge Iron Man 1 had no lights, when the ferry  hit it.

All  221 ferry passengers and 44 crew members were safe as well as the three crew members of the barge.

The ferry reached  Pier 4, Cebu City  at 4:45 a.m. yesterday or  shortly past its 4 a.m. scheduled arrival time  after leaving Ormoc City port in Leyte at 10 p.m. the  night before.

Cebu Coast Guard station commander Rolando Punzalan said his office is still waiting for a marine protest to be filed by  Lite Ferry 8 captain Sergio Gerodias. /CORRESPONDENT JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN WITH REPORTER CANDEZE R. MONGAYA