Vessel limps back to Cebu City

A PASSENGER and cargo vessel managed to return to the Cebu City port at past 3 p.m. yesterday, three hours after it experienced engine trouble near Kawit Island.

The MV J and N ferry made an emergency docking near  Kawit Island after its engine’s gasket leaked, said Cebu Coast Guard Commander Rolando Punzalan Jr.

The ferry, with 71 passengers and 23 crew  on board, left Pier 1 in Cebu City at about 12 p.m. for Ubay, Bohol province.

The ferry experienced engine trouble at 2:20 p.m.

Punzalan said his office received a distress call from a certain Merced Llerin whose relative was on board the ferry.

The ferry’s captain Saturnino Gaudicos later confirmed that a leaking gasket was being repaired.

Coast Guard personnel were sent out to rescue the stranded passengers at about 2:50 p.m.

By then, the repair on the gasket was done.

The ferry returned to Cebu City’s Pier 1 with all its passengers and crew members safe.

The incident was not related to weather conditions arising from Tropical Storm Ambo.  /Correspondent Edison delos Angeles