Cement in sunken ship threatens Lapu’s coastal fishing

The livelihood of fisherfolk in four Lapu-Lapu City coastal barangays may be affected by Sunday’s sinking of a cargo ship near the coast of barangay Canjulao.

The cargo ship MB B& E Uno, carrying 23,000 sacks of cement from Iligan City, sank as it maneuvered to dock in Cebu City’ Pier 4.

The cement cargo may increase water turbidity or cloudiness in the coastal waters, driving away fish and affecting other marine life, said Engr. Roderico Tagaan, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro).

An oil spill boom was sent to the site to contain any leaks from the ship’s fuel tank that could affect barangays Canjulao, Looc, Calawisan and Babag.

Canjulao barangay captain Nestor Paypa said that most of his constituents depend on the sea for livelihood.

“We have many aquaculture ponds for cultured fish, seaweed (“lato”), and shrimps,” said Paypa.

He and other barangay chiefs called on the ship owner to salvage the wreck soon before it affects the seawater and their fishing grounds.

The sunken ship is owned by the Cebu-based B & E Sea Transport Corp.

Barangay captains Eddie Bensi of Calawisan, Nestor Paypa of Canjulao, Mateo Dungog of Barangay Looc and Eliseo Berdin of Babag inspected the area together with Task Force Kalikasan (TFK) scuba divers, and Cenro.

Teodolo Ybanez, Lapu–Lapu city administrator said Cebu Coast Guard chief Commodore Rolando Punzalan assured him that the city’s request for immediate action is part of the Coast Guard’s report and will be brought to the attention of the ship owner.

The ship sank at about 0.8 nautical miles off barangay Canjulao shores last Sunday night when they’re about to dock at pier 4, Lapu-Lapu City.

The cargo ship was supposed to dock around 9 p.m. last Saturday in Pier 4, but was advised by advised to anchor as their berthing area is not yet available.

Around 7 p.m. last Sunday, the ship was finally given the clearance to dock in Pier 4.

While maneuvering the seawaters between the pier of Super Shuttle Ferry and Gothong in Mandaue City, the vessel hit shallow water, causing it to tilt.

When regained its balance, the crew noticed that water had entered the ship and its engine was flooded.

According to PCG, the ship’s captain Jaime Cabajes tried to maneuver the ship to the seashore of Canjulao around 9 p.m. but it sank 30 minutes later.

The crew abandoned ship and swam to the seashore. All 17 crew members of the ship survived the sea mishap.