Sea travel ban lifted in parts of Bicol

Bicol Region map. INQUIRER FILES

SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has lifted sea travel suspensions in parts of the Bicol region, allowing vessels to resume normal operations.

In this province, all passenger and cargo vessels, including motorized bancas, were permitted to resume voyages as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

This decision was made after the state weather bureau lifted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in parts of Sorsogon.

In Masbate, all vessel trips, including operations to the Burias and Ticao Islands, have resumed, the Masbate Coast Guard Station confirmed in an advisory Tuesday evening.

But small vessels, including fishing boats, are advised to exercise caution as Super Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) remains within the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

READ: Bicol braces for another evacuation due to Leon

In Albay, sea travel restrictions have also been lifted, although the availability of vessels may affect the resumption of trips, the Albay Coast Guard Station reported.

For Catanduanes, passenger, cargo, and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-ro) vessels in Virac and San Andres were cleared to sail on Tuesday, according to the Catanduanes Coast Guard Station.

However, the northern and eastern coasts of Catanduanes remain suspended as the province is still under TCWS No. 1.

The sea travel ban continues in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, where all vessels, regardless of size or type, are restricted from departing.

The northern portion of Camarines Sur and the entirety of Camarines Norte remained under TCWS No. 1.

Leon was last monitored 360 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, according to the state weather bureau. INQ