Passenger hurt, DPWH boat damaged after ship hits seawall in Romblon

CITY OF CALAPAN – A passenger was hurt and a pump boat belonging to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was damaged when a sea vessel carrying 244 passengers bound for Romblon and Sibuyan Island hit the seawall of Romblon port in Romblon province early morning Monday.

Supt. Socrates Faltado, Mimaropa police information officer, said M/V Grand Venture I of Navios Shipping Lines was being piloted by Villard Rotoni Ramilo, 57, when it crashed unto the seawall in Barangay (village) Bagacay at 2:15 a.m.

Romblon police and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that “the ship was maneuvering for docking at Romblon port when the reverse engine malfunctioned, causing the ship to move forward towards the shore and hit the seawall.”

A passenger identified as Alvin Mortos, 35, laborer, and a resident of Barangay Agbudia, also in Romblon town, was injured and immediately taken to Romblon District Hospital for treatment.

A pump boat owned by DPWH docked at the port was damaged during the incident.

As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, rescue operations continued for the remaining passengers./lzb