Tanker, carrier collide off Cavite

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now looking into the circumstances that led to the collision of an oil tanker and a bulk carrier off Cavite province on Wednesday night.

According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo, the incident between oil tanker MV Rich Rainbow and bulk carrier MV Ivy Alliance took place about 3 nautical miles from Cavite City.

He said that around 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Coast Guard Station Cavite received a phone call regarding the incident and deployed a response team from the Coast Guard Sub-Station in Cavite City.

Personnel from Coast Guard Manila, as well as Special Operations Group and Marine Environmental Protection Unit on board BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) were also deployed to the area to ensure the safety of the crew and to gather additional information about the collision.

There was no reported oil spill following the incident, said Balilo, adding that the crew members of both ships were in good physical condition.However, based on the assessment, the Ivy Alliance sustained a 10- to 15-meter horizontal long hole at her forward starboard bow above the waterline.

The Rich Rainbow, on the other hand, incurred a 15- to 20-meter horizontal long hole from her starboard bow to the starboard beam above the waterline.

Initial report said the China-bound motor tanker, registered under the flag of Thailand, was loaded with gasoline.

The bulk carrier, registered under the flag of Marshall Islands and came from Indonesia, was loaded with coal.