INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday morning suspended sea travel in northern Quezon due to rough sea conditions caused by Tropical Depression Gener.
The PCG station in Real town announced the suspension of voyages of all vessels/watercraft plying the route within their respective areas due to the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 and the “possible effect of the inclement weather.”
The PCG station covers the Polillo group of islands in the Pacific Ocean that hosts the towns of Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Jomalig, and Patnanungan.
“All vessels are reminded to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the movement of the typhoon if deemed to be affected by said weather disturbance,” the PCG said in its public notice posted on its Facebook page.
Authorities said sea vessels that intend to take shelter shall be permitted “as long as it is manifested through a written request and no passenger/cargo will be allowed on board.”
Voyage of vessels would resume until further notice and upon improvement of weather and sea conditions, the PCG added.
READ: LPA now a tropical depression; Signal No. 1 up in northern Luzon areas
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported in its 8 a.m. update that Gener was last monitored 315 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.
Gener is moving 10 kilometers per hour (kph), carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 kph.
The PCG-District Southern Tagalog also announced on Monday morning that sea travel for small vessels in Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro provinces remained suspended due to rough sea conditions.
The suspension order covers sea vessels with 250 gross tonnage or less, like motorized passenger or fishing boats.
The order would be lifted, and sea travel for small sea crafts may be resumed when the weather improves, based on Pagasa’s predictions, the PCG said. INQ