Chinese crew in Zambales not allowed to leave PH

Inquirer files

SAN FELIPE, ZAMBALES, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has denied the request of the detained foreign aggregate carrier that ran aground in this town to replace its Chinese crew members with Filipinos, which also prevented the Chinese nationals from leaving the country on Saturday.

According to Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, head of the PCG sub-station in Zambales, the Chinese crew members of the Sierra Leone-flagged “MV Hyperline 988” have a confirmed flight back to Guangzhou, China, on Saturday but he “vehemently said ‘No.’” The PCG said there was a request from the cargo ship to replace the Chinese crew with Filipinos.

READ: Detained ship in Zambales runs aground; Chinese crew disembark

“We checked with Sierra Leone to see if they had been notified about the request of Hyperline and according to them, there was no such request,” Diciano told the Inquirer.

He added he designated people to watch over the Chinese nationals, five of whom are staying in a resort while two others are guarding their vessel.

On May 16, the vessel was detained due to 21 deficiencies discovered during an unauthorized anchorage at Barangay Sindol here and ran aground at the unfinished pier in Barangay Maloma.

On May 25, the PCG persuaded the Chinese crew to take shelter in preparation for Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar), but the vessel’s master insisted on staying in Barangay Sindol, claiming the anchorage fees in Manila are expensive.

Salvage ops

But on May 29, when the typhoon already left the country, the vessel’s master finally requested a change of anchorage in Barangay Bolitoc in Sta. Cruz town but it ran aground while on the way there.

Diciano said on May 30, a salvaging company evaluated the extent of damage sustained by the vessel and was able to determine the best course of action to minimize further adverse effects on the vessel and marine environment.

The firm’s survey report revealed the vessel is in a “precarious condition that requires immediate action.” The observed hull damage, combined with the vessel’s movement and contact with the ground, showed a high risk of further deterioration and environmental harm especially since the vessel is still loaded with fuel and other types of oil onboard.

“The salvage operation should be done immediately to minimize the damage,” Diciano said.