DoTC orders crackdown on unregistered sea vessels
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) has ordered a crackdown on colorum or unregistered vessels and motorized bancas being used for travel, island-hopping, or sightseeing a day after a motorized banca capsized in Mindanao that killed one person and left two people missing.
Marina deputy administrator, Nic Conti, said in a statement released Wednesday that the motorized banca, named Lake Cruiser, that capsized in Lake Mainit, Agusan del Norte was owned by the municipality of Jaboanga and was not registered.
The lone casualty was identified as 63-year old Melocina Mahilom, whose body was recovered shortly after search-and-rescue personnel were deployed to the vicinity by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The two missing persons were identified as Anthony A. Cebrian, 36, and Cris Anthony Alipoos, 10, all from the province of Cebu.
“Boat operators must possess the required authority to operate and must register their vessels or bancas with Marina,” Conti said.
He added that sea vessels should “be equipped with life-saving appliances like life jackets, life rings, etc. and must have communication equipment on board. It must also have passenger insurance coverage and must be operated by competent and qualified crew.”
Vessels that don’t have the necessary permits could face fines of up to P10,000 to P100,000 and the crew’s “seaman’s book” could also be confiscated, the Marina said.
Conti called on all those who would be riding on sea vessel to be vigilant “by ensuring that the safety protocol is observed and complied with by the operators before boarding any vessel or banca.”
“Passengers should check if the name of the vessel or banca is prominently displayed at the fore part of the banca and the registration number at the aft part portion,” Conti said.
According to PCG Commandant Admiral Edmund Tan, the boat was carrying 24 passengers and 4 crew members were sightseeing on Lake Mainit when they encountered huge waves that “damaged its outrigger and caused it to overturn and sink.”
“Lake Mainit is the fourth largest and the deepest lake in the Philippines with maximum depth reaching 223 meters. It is located in northeastern part of Mindanao and shared by the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte,” DOTC said.
