PHOTO from PCG-7
CEBU CITY, Philippines —A cargo vessel ran aground in the waters off Panglao Island, Bohol’s tourism jewel, in the evening of Maundy Thursday.
None of the 20 crew members of LCT Poseidon 37 was hurt, but the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was assessing the damage to the corals near Doljo Point in Panglao.
PHOTO from PCG-7
According to PCG-Central Visayas spokesperson Michael John Encina, the ship was heading to Shell Island off Cordova town on Mactan Island in Cebu from Gingoog City, Misamis Occidental to deliver aggregates to be used for the ongoing construction of the third bridge that would
connect Cebu to Mactan.
He said the vessel didn’t encounter any engine trouble; it ran aground because of miscalculation on the part of the crew.
The Coast Guard immediately dispatched BRP Suluan to provide support to the crew who arrived in the area early Friday morning.
PHOTO from PCG-7
PHOTO from PCG-7
The hull didn’t have any hole when inspected by Coast Guard divers although it did have minor damage.
The Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection and the municipal government of Panglao are now conducting an underwater inspection to assess the damage on the corals.
According to Encina, the Coast Guard personnel and the ship’s crew are waiting for high tide to pull the vessel. — With a report from Leo Udtohan, Inquirer Visayas /ee