Cargo vessel runs aground in Cebu town

Cebu. INQUIRER FILES

CEBU CITY – A cargo vessel ran aground off the coast of Minglanilla town in southern Cebu on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

According to Ensign Abel Lomboy of the Philippine Coast Guard District-Central Visayas (PCG-7), the vessel was affected by strong winds and large waves caused by tropical cyclone Kristine which broke two of its anchors.

“The LCT Golden Bellawas dragged toward the shore due to rough seas and a rising tide,” said Lomboy.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

The ship is 100 meters from the shore of Sitio Noah, Barangay Calajoan, and had no cargo on board when the incident occurred.

The PCG-7 is monitoring the vessel and plans to send divers for a hull inspection to check for damage and prevent potential oil spills.

“Underwater hull inspections are being planned to assess any possible hull breaches, while monitoring for any oil spill is ongoing with contingencies in place,” Lomboy said.

Lomboy said that no crew members were injured during the incident.

The PCG is waiting for high tide to use a tugboat to tow the ship away from the area.