PCG suspends sea travel in Quezon due to Nika

SEA TRIP Roll-on, roll-off ships at Matnog port in Sorsogon bound for Allen port in Northern Samar in this Oct. 25, 2024 photo. (File picture courtesy of Philippine Ports Authority)

LUCENA CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel Saturday afternoon, November 9, in Quezon province due to rough sea conditions caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” (international name: Toraji).

The PCG stations in this city and Real town announced the suspension of trips of all vessels/watercraft plying the route within their areas due to the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 and the “possible effect of the inclement weather.”

The PCG station in Real in northern Quezon covers the towns of Infanta, General Nakar and the Polillo group of islands in the Pacific Ocean that host the municipalities of Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Jomalig and Patnanungan.

The PCG station in Lucena City covers the eastern portion of the province along Lamon Bay and Tayabas Bay that include the coastal towns of Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan and San Narciso.

“All sea vessels are reminded to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the movement of typhoon if deemed to be affected by said weather disturbance,” the PCG 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,” the suspension order said.

Voyage of vessels will resume until further notice and upon improvement of weather and sea conditions, the PCG said.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) bulletin at 5 a.m. Sunday, November 10, Nika was moving west northwestward at 30 km per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gusts of 125 kph.

Nika was last spotted 690 km east of Infanta, Quezon.

TCWS No. 2 was hoisted over the southeastern portion of Isabela and northern portion of Aurora province.

TCWS No. 1 was set over 17 areas in Luzon.