Two vessels run aground in Batangas port due to bad weather

Batangas Port in Batangas City (INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Two vessels ran aground in Batangas port in Batangas City on Thursday because of strong waves and wind brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

In a Palace briefing, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Assistant General Manager Mark Jon Palomar said they are currently investigating the two incidents.

He noted the captains of the boats  may face charges if proven that there was negligence.

READ: Kristine kills 7 persons, affects over 2 million people, says NDRRMC

“There were two vessels in Batangas which hit our port. One was the Super Shuttle 2. It was at anchorage sometime during the night. It broke anchor,” Palomar told reporters.

The captain was not in the vessel when this event happened.

His absence violates PPA regulations, said Palomar.

The other vessel, called MT Cassandra, was unmanned.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine made landfall in Divilacan town in Isabela province at 12:30 a.m. on October 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said.

READ:Pagasa: Heavy rainfall alert up in some Luzon areas due to Kristine

At 8 a.m., the state weather bureau issued a red rainfall warning in Occidental Mindoro, where serious flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas may occur.

A red rainfall warning also means more than 30 millimeters of rain will pour in the next two hours.