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